1999–2000 Indiana Pacers season

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1999–2000 Indiana Pacers season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachLarry Bird
General managerDonnie Walsh
PresidentDonnie Walsh
Owners
ArenaConseco Fieldhouse
Results
Record56–26 (.683)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Central)
Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Finals
(Lost to Lakers 2–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports Net Midwest, WTTV
RadioWIBC
< 1998–99 2000–01 >

The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Pacers' 24th season in the National Basketball Association, and 33rd season as a franchise.[1] It was their first season playing at the Conseco Fieldhouse. During the off-season, the Pacers acquired top draft pick and high school star Jonathan Bender from the Toronto Raptors, and acquired rookie center Jeff Foster from the Golden State Warriors.[2][3] The Pacers played around .500 with a 7–7 start to the season, but then won 15 of their next 17 games. The team finished first place in the Central Division with a 56–26 record, highlighted by a franchise-best 25-game winning streak at home,[4] which was worthy of the Eastern Conference first seed in the playoffs, guaranteed home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and an all-time franchise best win–loss record.[5]

Jalen Rose, who played the previous three seasons off the Pacers' bench, became a starter replacing Chris Mullin in the lineup at small forward, and led the team in scoring with 18.2 points per game, and was named Most Improved Player of the Year.[6] In addition, Reggie Miller finished second on the team in scoring averaging 18.1 points per game, and Rik Smits provided them with 12.9 points per game. Dale Davis averaged 10.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, while Austin Croshere played an increased role as the team's sixth man, averaging 10.3 points per game off the bench, while finishing in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting,[7] and Mark Jackson led the team with 8.0 assists per game.[8] Miller and Davis were both selected for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game in Oakland.[9]

In the playoffs, the Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in five games in the Eastern Conference First Round,[10] and the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals,[11] before preceding to defeat their arch-rivals, the New York Knicks in a tough, hard-fought six-game series in the Eastern Conference Finals for the fifth time in seven years, en route to advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.[12] However, the Pacers would lose in the Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.[13]

Following the season, Larry Bird resigned as head coach after three seasons,[14] while Davis was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers,[15] Mullin was released and later re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Golden State Warriors, Jackson signed with the Toronto Raptors,[16] and Smits retired after playing 12 seasons in the NBA with the Pacers.[17]

Offseason[]

NBA Draft[]

Main article: 1999 NBA Draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 26 Vonteego Cummings PG  United States Pittsburgh

Roster[]

1999–2000 Indiana Pacers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From
F 24 Bender, Jonathan 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 1981–01–30 Picayune Memorial HS (MS)
G 4 Best, Travis 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 1972–07–12 Georgia Tech
F 44 Croshere, Austin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1975–05–01 Providence
F/C 32 Davis, Dale 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1969–03–25 Clemson
C 10 Foster, Jeff Injured 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1977–01–16 Texas State
F 3 Harrington, Al Injured 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1980–02–17 St. Patrick HS (NJ)
G 13 Jackson, Mark 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–04–01 St. John's
F 9 McKey, Derrick 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1966–10–10 Alabama
G 31 Miller, Reggie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1965–08–24 UCLA
F 17 Mullin, Chris 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1963–07–30 St. John's
F/C 14 Perkins, Sam 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1961–06–14 North Carolina
G/F 5 Rose, Jalen 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1973–01–30 Michigan
C 45 Smits, Rik 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1966–08–23 Marist
C 55 Tabak, Žan 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1970–06–15 Croatia
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: 1999-10-31

Regular season[]

The Pacers began a new era by moving into Conseco Fieldhouse after 25 years at Market Square Arena. They would start the season with a 7-7 record but finished with a 56-26 record, good enough to win their 2nd straight division title. The Pacers even won 25 straight games at their new arena.[18]

Season standings[]

Central Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Indiana Pacers 56 26 .683 – 36–5 20–21 20–8
x-Charlotte Hornets 49 33 .598 7 30–11 19–22 20–8
x-Toronto Raptors 45 37 .549 11 26–15 19–22 16–12
x-Detroit Pistons 42 40 .512 14 27–14 15–26 16–12
x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 14 23–18 19–22 16–12
Cleveland Cavaliers 32 50 .390 24 22–19 10–31 8–20
Atlanta Hawks 28 54 .341 28 21–20 7–34 11–17
Chicago Bulls 17 65 .207 39 12–29 5–36 5–23
# Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Indiana Pacers 56 26 .683 –
2 y-Miami Heat 52 30 .634 4
3 x-New York Knicks 50 32 .610 6
4 x-Charlotte Hornets 49 33 .598 7
5 x-Philadelphia 76ers 49 33 .598 7
6 x-Toronto Raptors 45 37 .549 11
7 x-Detroit Pistons 42 40 .512 14
8 x-Milwaukee Bucks 42 40 .512 14
9 Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 15
10 Boston Celtics 35 47 .427 21
11 Cleveland Cavaliers 32 50 .390 24
12 New Jersey Nets 31 51 .378 25
13 Washington Wizards 29 53 .354 27
14 Atlanta Hawks 28 54 .341 28
15 Chicago Bulls 17 65 .207 39

Record vs. opponents[]

1999-2000 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta – 1–3 1–3 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 1–1 3–1 2–1 0–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3
Boston 3–1 – 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 2–0 0–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Charlotte 3–1 3–1 – 4–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–0
Chicago 1–3 2–2 0–4 – 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 2–1 0–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2
Cleveland 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 – 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–3 1–3 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–1 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–2 2–0 3–1
Dallas 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 – 3–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–1 1–3 3–1 1–1
Denver 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 – 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–1
Detroit 3–1 3–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 – 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 2–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–2
Golden State 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–4 2–2 0–2 – 1–3 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–4 3–1 1–1
Houston 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 3–1 – 0–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1
Indiana 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 – 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 3–1 0–4 1–1 – 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–1
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 – 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1
Miami 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 – 2–2 2–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 4–0
Milwaukee 4–0 2–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–2 – 0–2 1–3 0–4 4–0 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Minnesota 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 3–1 0–4 0–2 2–0 – 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 0–2
New Jersey 1–3 1–3 1–2 1–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 – 1–3 3–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3
New York 1–2 2–2 3–1 3–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 4–0 1–1 3–1 – 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 0–2 2–0 2–2
Orlando 3–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 1–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 2–3 1–3 – 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–0
Philadelphia 4–0 3–1 1–3 4–0 4–0 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 3–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 – 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–0 1–1 2–0 3–1
Phoenix 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 3–1 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 – 1–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 0–4 4–0 2–0
Portland 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 0–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 – 4–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–0
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–4 0–4 – 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–3 3–1 2–0
San Antonio 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 3–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 – 2–2 1–1 2–2 4–0 1–1
Seattle 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 – 0–2 2–2 4–0 2–0
Toronto 2–2 2–2 1–3 4–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–1 2–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 – 1–1 1–1 2–2
Utah 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 4–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 – 3–1 2–0
Vancouver 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 3–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–1 1–3 – 1–1
Washington 3–1 1–3 0–3 2–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 —

Game log[]

Regular season[]

1999–2000 game log
Total: 56–26 (Home: 36–5; Road: 20–21)
November: 8–7 (Home: 4–2; Road: 4–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
4 November 9 @ Miami L 101–113 Rose (17) Davis (10) Jackson (4) Miami Arena 2–2
15 November 29 @ Portland W 93–91 Rose (22) Davis (12) Jackson (9) Rose Garden 8–7
December: 12–2 (Home: 8–0; Road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
17 December 3 @ Utah W 100–75 Miller (31) Davis (13) Jackson (9) Delta Center 10–7
23 December 17 Utah W 89–74 Miller (19) Croshere (11) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse 15–8
26 December 25 New York W 101–90 Miller (26) Croshere (10) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse 17–9
January: 8–6 (Home: 6–0; Road: 2–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
35 January 14 L.A. Lakers W 111–102 Miller (22) Croshere (12) Jackson (8) Conseco Fieldhouse 24–11
40 January 22 @ Philadelphia L 97–103 Miller (28) Davis (15) Jackson (9) First Union Center 26–14
42 January 25 Phoenix W 93–87 Miller (21) Davis,
Rose (9) 		Jackson (8) Conseco Fieldhouse 27–15
43 January 29 Miami W 94–84 Miller (30) Croshere,
Davis (6) 		Jackson (8) Conseco Fieldhouse 28–15
February: 11–2 (Home: 8–0; Road: 3–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
47 February 7 Philadelphia W 109–84 Miller (32) Rose (7) McKey,
Rose (6) 		Conseco Fieldhouse 31–16
51 February 19 @ New York L 73–87 Miller (16) Davis (16) Jackson (6) Madison Square Garden 34–17
March: 9–7 (Home: 6–3; Road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
57 March 2 @ Phoenix L 87–118 Best (20) Croshere,
Davis (9) 		Jackson (8) America West Arena 39–18
58 March 3 @ L.A. Lakers L 92–107 Miller (22) Davis (13) Jackson (6) Staples Center 39–19
61 March 9 Portland W 127–119 (OT) Jackson (23) Davis (13) Jackson (9) Conseco Fieldhouse 42–19
63 March 12 Miami L 96–105 Miller (26) Davis (8) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse 43–20
68 March 21 New York W 95–91 Rose (28) Croshere (8) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse 47–21
70 March 26 Philadelphia L 101–111 Rose (19) Smits (7) Best,
Jackson (5) 		Conseco Fieldhouse 47–23
April: 8–2 (Home: 4–0; Road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
77 April 10 @ New York L 81–83 Jackson (13) Davis (12) Jackson (5) Madison Square Garden 51–26
79 April 14 @ Miami W 105–101 Miller (26) Davis (7) Jackson (5) American Airlines Arena 53–26
81 April 17 @ Philadelphia W 92–90 Mullin (21) Smits (10) Rose (9) First Union Center 55–26
1999–00 schedule

Playoffs[]

2000 playoff game log
First round: 3–2 (Home: 2–1; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 23 Milwaukee W 88–85 Jalen Rose (26) Dale Davis (17) Mark Jackson (11) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–0
2 April 27 Milwaukee L 91–104 Austin Croshere (16) Dale Davis (12) Mark Jackson (5) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–1
3 April 29 @ Milwaukee W 109–96 Reggie Miller (34) Austin Croshere (11) Miller, Rose (5) Bradley Center
18,717 		2–1
4 May 1 @ Milwaukee L 87–100 Jalen Rose (17) Dale Davis (10) Mark Jackson (6) Bradley Center
18,072 		2–2
5 May 4 Milwaukee W 96–95 Reggie Miller (41) Dale Davis (12) Mark Jackson (8) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		3–2
Conference Semi-finals: 4–2 (Home: 2–1; Road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 6 Philadelphia W 108–91 Miller, Rose (40) Austin Croshere (11) Mark Jackson (10) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–0
2 May 8 Philadelphia W 103–97 Jalen Rose (30) Jalen Rose (7) Mark Jackson (14) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		2–0
3 May 10 @ Philadelphia W 97–89 Reggie Miller (29) Dale Davis (17) Mark Jackson (8) First Union Center
20,823 		3–0
4 May 13 @ Philadelphia L 90–92 Rik Smits (20) Dale Davis (11) Mark Jackson (7) First Union Center
20,675 		3–1
5 May 15 Philadelphia L 86–107 Rik Smits (15) Dale Davis (8) Jackson, Rose (6) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		3–2
6 May 19 @ Philadelphia W 106–90 Reggie Miller (25) Dale Davis (11) Mark Jackson (11) First Union Center
20,969 		4–2
Conference Finals: 4–2 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 23 New York W 102–88 Austin Croshere (22) Dale Davis (16) Mark Jackson (13) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–0
2 May 25 New York W 88–84 Jalen Rose (24) Dale Davis (16) Mark Jackson (5) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		2–0
3 May 27 @ New York L 95–98 Jalen Rose (26) Dale Davis (16) Jackson, Rose (6) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–1
4 May 29 @ New York L 89–91 Reggie Miller (24) Dale Davis (11) Mark Jackson (7) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–2
5 May 31 New York W 88–79 Travis Best (24) Derrick McKey (9) Mark Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		3–2
6 June 2 @ New York W 93–80 Reggie Miller (34) Dale Davis (16) Best, Jackson (4) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		4–2
NBA Finals: 2–4 (Home: 2–1; Road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 June 7 @ L.A. Lakers L 87–104 Mark Jackson (18) Dale Davis (8) Mark Jackson (7) Staples Center
18,997 		0–1
2 June 9 @ L.A. Lakers L 104–111 Jalen Rose (30) Dale Davis (10) Mark Jackson (8) Staples Center
18,997 		0–2
3 June 11 L.A. Lakers W 100–91 Reggie Miller (33) Dale Davis (12) Mark Jackson (6) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–2
4 June 14 L.A. Lakers L 118–120 (OT) Reggie Miller (35) Dale Davis (8) Mark Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–3
5 June 16 L.A. Lakers W 120–87 Jalen Rose (32) Austin Croshere (9) Mark Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		2–3
6 June 19 @ L.A. Lakers L 111–116 Jalen Rose (29) Dale Davis (14) Mark Jackson (11) Staples Center
18,997 		2–4
2000 schedule

Player statistics[]

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season[]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Jalen Rose 80 80 37.2 .471 .393 .827 4.8 4.0 1.1 0.6 18.2
Reggie Miller 81 81 36.9 .448 .408 .919 3.0 2.3 1.0 0.3 18.1
Rik Smits 79 79 23.4 .484 .000 .739 5.1 1.1 0.3 1.3 12.9
Austin Croshere 81 14 23.3 .441 .362 .848 6.4 1.1 0.5 0.7 10.3
Dale Davis 74 72 28.7 .502 .685 9.9 0.9 0.7 1.3 10.0
Travis Best 82 0 20.6 .483 .376 .821 1.7 3.3 0.9 0.1 8.9
Mark Jackson 81 81 27.0 .432 .403 .806 3.7 8.0 0.9 0.1 8.1
Sam Perkins 81 0 20.0 .417 .408 .825 3.6 0.8 0.4 0.4 6.6
Al Harrington 50 0 17.1 .458 .235 .703 3.2 0.8 0.5 0.2 6.6
Chris Mullin 47 2 12.4 .428 .409 .902 1.6 0.8 0.6 0.2 5.1
Derrick McKey 32 0 19.8 .398 .435 .768 4.2 1.1 0.9 0.4 4.3
Jonathan Bender 24 1 5.4 .329 .167 .667 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.2 2.7
Jeff Foster 19 0 4.5 .565 .000 .680 1.7 0.3 0.3 0.1 2.3
Žan Tabak 18 0 6.3 .471 .625 1.8 0.2 0.2 0.5 2.1

Playoffs[]

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Reggie Miller 22 22 40.5 .452 .395 .938 2.4 2.7 1.0 0.5 24.0
Jalen Rose 23 23 41.9 .437 .429 .805 4.4 3.4 0.7 0.5 20.8
Rik Smits 22 21 21.0 .498 .000 .875 3.5 1.0 0.5 0.9 11.0
Austin Croshere 23 2 21.3 .418 .405 .839 4.7 0.8 0.4 0.7 9.4
Travis Best 23 0 20.1 .430 .433 .841 2.5 2.9 0.8 0.2 8.9
Dale Davis 23 23 31.0 .523 .542 11.4 0.7 0.5 1.3 8.3
Mark Jackson 23 23 27.6 .392 .313 .903 3.7 7.7 0.8 0.1 8.1
Sam Perkins 23 0 18.1 .324 .348 .905 3.2 0.4 0.2 0.3 4.8
Chris Mullin 9 1 10.0 .476 .250 .818 1.6 0.6 0.7 0.1 3.4
Derrick McKey 23 0 15.3 .469 .167 .800 3.4 0.6 0.3 0.2 2.0
Jonathan Bender 9 0 2.3 .667 1.000 .500 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 1.3
Zan Tabak 10 0 4.7 .500 1.000 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.2 1.2

NBA Finals[]

  • Lakers' backup center John Salley became the first player in NBA history to play on three different championship-winning franchises, as he won titles in 1989 and '90 with the Detroit Pistons and 1996 with the Chicago Bulls.
  • This was the Lakers first NBA Finals in the new Staples Center.
  • After closing out game 6, fans rioted outside Staples Center by making bonfires, tipping cars, breaking windows of cars and buildings, and vandalizing businesses around the area. Overall, they caused $1 million in damages. In Lakers' championship run the following year, the LAPD came out in bigger force after the Lakers won and prevented the same thing from happening again.
  • Staples Center, which was a first-year building in 2000, had a very tricky shooting background and opposing teams often had difficulty shooting there. Pacers coach Larry Bird wanted to have a shoot-around in the arena the day before Game 6 to help his team shoot more consistently because they shot very poorly in Games 1 and 2. However, the Pacers couldn't practice in the building because of an Arena Football game. Bird was very upset about this, and his team had to go down to the Lakers practice facility in El Segundo.
  • The two arenas in this series, Conseco Fieldhouse and Staples Center, were both first-year arenas.

Summary[]

The following scoring summary is written in a line score format, except that the quarter numbers are replaced by game numbers.

Team Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4* Game 5 Game 6 Wins
Los Angeles (West) 104 111 91 120 87 116 4
Indiana (East) 87 104 100 118 120 111 2

[19]

Aspects[]

Although the Lakers were one of the more talented teams in the NBA the previous year, they failed to win a single game against the San Antonio Spurs in the 1999 NBA Playoffs. Twenty-four days after being swept by the eventual league champion, the Lakers signed Phil Jackson as head coach. Jackson, famous for coaching Michael Jordan and the six-time champion Chicago Bulls, would build his triangle offense around Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. general manager Jerry West surrounded O'Neal and Bryant with effective role players such as Glen Rice, Ron Harper (who had experience with Jackson's triangle offense as part of the '96–'98 Bulls),[20] and A. C. Green (member of the last two Lakers championship teams).[21]

Along with these starters, the Lakers also possessed a strong bench. Robert Horry not only had championship experience with the Houston Rockets but also was a threat on the perimeter and a defensive star.[22] Derek Fisher was a defensively minded point-guard with the ability to shoot well from long range. Rick Fox, acquired after being released by the Boston Celtics,[23] was the Lakers' sixth man. With a healthy O'Neal, the Lakers dominated the regular season, with winning streaks of 11, 16, and 19 en route to a 67–15 record, tying the 1992 Chicago Bulls and 1986 Boston Celtics as the fifth best record in NBA regular season history.

Although many expected the Lakers to reach the Finals, the road would be a rocky one. In the first round, the Lakers won the first two games against the Sacramento Kings, only to drop the next two games in Sacramento.[24] The Lakers then defeated Sacramento in Game 5, 113–86, to face the Phoenix Suns in the conference semi-finals.[25] The Lakers clobbered the Suns, winning the series 4–1 (with their only loss coming in Game 4).[26][27] In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers, Rasheed Wallace earned two technical fouls and was ejected; the Lakers took advantage of Wallace's absence and secured victory.[28] The Trail Blazers stormed back in the next game, giving the Lakers their worst home loss of the season in a 106–77 shellacking.[29] This setback did not affect Los Angeles, as they assembled a 3–1 series lead by winning the next two games in Portland.[30] The Lakers underestimated the Trail Blazers, however. Led by former Jackson linchpin Scottie Pippen, Portland won back-to-back elimination games and forced a series-deciding Game 7.[31][32] Amid several controversial foul calls by referee Dick Bavetta against members of the Trail Blazers,[33] Portland relinquished a 75–60 fourth quarter lead.[34] Rallying back with a 25–4 run, the Lakers won the game and secured a berth in the NBA Finals.[35][36]

In the 1997–1998 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls narrowly defeated the Pacers, 4 games to 3, in the Eastern Conference Finals.[37] The 1998–1999 NBA season began with a lockout but saw Indiana return to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they fell to the New York Knicks.[38] The 1999–2000 NBA season brought several major changes to the Pacers. It was their first season at Conseco Fieldhouse,[39] as well as their first since 1993 without center Antonio Davis, who was traded for the rights to the No. 5 overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.[40] Jalen Rose replaced Chris Mullin in the starting line up, winning the NBA Most Improved Player award,[41] while Austin Croshere replaced him as the sixth man.

The Pacers started the season 7–7 but eventually finished with an Eastern Conference best 56–26 record, including a franchise-best 25 game win streak at home.[42] The Pacers, like the Lakers, struggled in the playoffs. They needed a clutch Travis Best three-pointer to dispatch the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.[43] Indiana faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round and took the series in six games, earning a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals.[44] The Pacers would face their rival Knicks,[45] winning a memorable six game series in a reversal of fortunes from years past.[46] With the victory, Indiana advanced to the first NBA Finals in franchise history, becoming the second former ABA team to do so.

Game 1[]

Wednesday, June 7, 2000, 9:00 at the Staples Center.

The Lakers dominated from the start. The Lakers shot 15-for-20 (75%) in the first period while the Pacers shot only 7-for-20 (35%). Miller would miss all of his shots in the first quarter to give the Lakers a 15-point lead. Croshere came off the bench to keep the Pacers alive in the 2nd quarter, scoring 9 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in the quarter. Although the Pacers attempted a comeback in the 2nd quarter, they were still down by 12. In the 3rd quarter, it would be Jackson who led the Pacers to a comeback, cutting the Lakers lead by 2. Miller also hit his first field goal in the 3rd quarter, though it would be his last. The Lakers handled the Pacers in the final quarter, with a 13–2 run winning by 17 points. O'Neal scored 43 points and grabbed 19 rebounds.

[1]

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Indiana 18 25 28 16 87
Los Angeles 33 22 22 27 104

Game 2[]

Friday, June 9, 2000, 9:00 at the Staples Center.

Los Angeles and Indiana were evenly matched for the first quarter, both scoring 28. However, Los Angeles suffered a major setback when Kobe Bryant left the game in the 2nd quarter due to a sprained ankle and did not return. Jalen Rose later admitted that he intentionally stuck out his foot when Kobe shot a jumpshot in order to trip him when he landed.[47][48][49] Ron Harper went in for Bryant and scored 21 points for the game. Desperate to try to gain the lead, Larry Bird resorted to the "Hack-a-Shaq" strategy. Shaq shot 39 free throws, making only 18, an NBA record for most free throws attempted. Despite this low percentage, Shaq made 9 of 16 in the 4th quarter to keep a Lakers lead. The Pacers cut the lead to 99–96 and were looking to foul Shaq, but when Shaq got the ball he passed to Robert Horry who converted not only the layup, but the foul shot as well giving them a 102–96 lead en route to a 111–104 Lakers victory.

[2]

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Indiana 28 21 20 35 104
Los Angeles 28 24 21 38 111

Game 3[]

Sunday, June 11, 2000, 7:30 at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

Taking advantage of Kobe Bryant's ankle injury, Indiana restored a semblance of parity to the proceedings. Kobe's absence was felt as the Pacers had an 11–2 run in the first quarter to take an 8-point lead. Austin Croshere once again had another huge 2nd quarter, scoring 8 points as the Pacers shot 61% from the field. The Lakers tried to make a run to get back into the game, but upon doings so, Indiana answered with 12 straight points and led by 17. The Lakers were desperate and attempted another run to get within 3 points, but Reggie Miller nailed all his free throws at the end of the game to give Indiana a 9-point win.

[3]

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 15 27 22 25 91
Indiana 23 30 26 21 100

Game 4[]

Wednesday, June 14, 2000, 9:00 at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Pacers took a quick 9–2 lead due to Rik Smits hitting his first four shots. Kobe Bryant attempted to play with his sore ankle but only managed to score 6 points in the first half. Even though Bryant and O'Neal were in foul trouble in the first half (each picking up his third with 5 minutes remaining in the second quarter), Indiana could not take advantage and did not extend their lead. This would be a problem as Kobe Bryant scored 10 points and the Lakers took a 62–60 lead due to a Glen Rice three-pointer. The game remained close going into the fourth quarter, when O'Neal and Reggie Miller scored 14 and 13 points respectively, sending the game into overtime. Midway through overtime, O'Neal committed his sixth foul but 21-year-old Bryant delivered three clutch shots, as the Lakers were able to overcome back-up center John Salley's inability to effectively defend Smits. Smits and Miller scored all 14 of Indiana's OT points, but it was not enough to overcome as Miller missed a last-second three-pointer, and L.A. was able to pull one out in Indianapolis.

[4]

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. OT Total
Los Angeles 23 28 29 24 16 120
Indiana 33 21 23 27 14 118

Game 5[]

Friday, June 16, 2000, 9:00 at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

Reggie Miller and the Pacers dominated the game from the start in what would be Larry Bird's last game as a coach in the state of Indiana. Reggie Miller came out and made 5 straight shots including a 4-point play. The Pacers hit their first 6 three-point shots in the game. The Pacers would have a 20-point lead in the 2nd quarter, and eventually won by 33 – it was the worst Lakers NBA Finals loss since the 148–114 loss to Boston in the 1985 NBA Finals, known as the "Memorial Day Massacre."

With their loss in Game 5, the Lakers record in close-out games dropped to 3–6 in the 2000 NBA Playoffs (the other losses coming in Games 3 and 4 in the first round against Sacramento, Game 4 in the series against Phoenix, and Games 5 and 6 versus Portland). As a result, the series returned to California.

[5]

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 28 17 22 20 87
Indiana 39 25 22 34 120

Game 6[]

Monday, June 19, 2000, 9:00 at the Staples Center.

After the two teams traded blows in the first quarter, Mark Jackson concluded the period with a turn-around half-court shot at the buzzer to give the Pacers a 26–24 advantage. They would not relinquish their lead until the fourth quarter. In the first half, the Pacers would lead by as many as twelve points. However, the Lakers chipped away and entered intermission trailing 56–53. Indiana, however, added two more points to their lead, and entered the final period in a position to force a decisive seventh game.

In the fourth quarter, the momentum shifted. The Lakers got four timely three-pointers from Derek Fisher, Robert Horry, and Rick Fox. The turning point occurred on a play where Brian Shaw stole the ball from Jalen Rose, leading to a fast break where Shaquille O'Neal hit an off-balance shot to give the Lakers the lead. The Pacers never led after that point.

The Lakers would build a seven-point lead, but the Pacers fought back to tie the score at 103. After a timeout, the Lakers scored six unanswered points to regain control. The Pacers made one final valiant effort, but it fell short and the Lakers clinched their first championship in twelve years. Shaquille O'Neal led all scorers with 41 points and also pulled down 12 rebounds. He was awarded the Finals MVP.[50]

[6]

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Indiana 26 30 28 27 111
Los Angeles 24 29 26 37 116

Awards, records, and honors[]

Transactions[]

References[]

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