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1999–2000  Indiana Pacers season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coach Larry Bird
General manager Donnie Walsh
PresidentDonnie Walsh
Owners
Arena Conseco Fieldhouse
Results
Record56–26 (.683)
PlaceDivision: 1st ( Central)
Conference: 1st ( Eastern)
Playoff finish NBA Finals
(lost to Lakers 2–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television Fox Sports Net Midwest, WTTV
Radio WIBC
< 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 also their first season playing at the Conseco Fieldhouse. [2] 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. [3] [4] [5] The Pacers played around .500 with a 7–7 start to the season, but then won 15 of their next 17 games, and held a 32–16 record at the All-Star break. [6] 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, [7] 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. [8]

Jalen Rose, who played the previous three seasons off the Pacers' bench, became the team's starting small forward replacing Chris Mullin in the lineup, averaging 18.2 points and 4.0 assists per game, and was named Most Improved Player of the Year. [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] In addition, Reggie Miller finished second on the team in scoring averaging 18.1 points per game, while Rik Smits provided with 12.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and Dale Davis contributed 10.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. 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, [14] while Travis Best contributed 8.9 points and 3.3 assists per game also off the bench, Mark Jackson provided with 8.1 points and 8.0 assists per game, and Sam Perkins averaged 6.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. [15] Miller and Davis were both selected for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game in Oakland, California. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

In the playoffs, the Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in five games in the Eastern Conference First Round, [21] [22] [23] [24] and the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, [25] [26] [27] [28] before preceding to defeat their arch-rivals, the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals (who they were playing for the sixth time in the last eight playoffs) to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. [29] [30] [31] [32] However, the Pacers would lose in the Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. [33] [34] [35] [36] [37]

Following the season, Larry Bird resigned as head coach after three seasons, [38] while Davis was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, [39] [40] [41] Mullin was released and later re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Golden State Warriors, [42] Jackson signed with the Toronto Raptors, [43] [44] and Smits retired after playing 12 seasons in the NBA with the Pacers. [45] [46]

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 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/C 44 Croshere, Austin 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1975–05–01 Providence
F/C 32 Davis, Dale (C) 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 (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1965–08–24 UCLA
G 17 Mullin, Chris 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1963–07–30 St. John's
F 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. [47]

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
1 November 2, 1999 @ New Jersey W 119–112 Miller (27) Davis (13) Jackson (5) Continental Airlines Arena 1–0
2 November 4, 1999 @ Charlotte L 89–98 Miller (20) Davis,
Rose (7) 		Jackson (7) Charlotte Coliseum 1–1
3 November 6, 1999 Boston W 115–108 Miller (29) Davis (11) Jackson (8) Conseco Fieldhouse 2–1
4 November 9, 1999
7:30 p.m. EST 		@ Miami L 101–113 Rose (17) Davis (10) Jackson (4) Miami Arena 2–2
5 November 11, 1999 Orlando W 116–101 Miller (21) Rose (8) Rose (7) Conseco Fieldhouse 3–2
6 November 13, 1999 Washington W 105–83 Rose (16) Davis (8) Best,
Jackson (6) 		Conseco Fieldhouse 4–2
7 November 15, 1999 @ Houston W 96–87 Harrington (18) Davis (11) Jackson (7) Compaq Center 5–2
8 November 16, 1999 @ San Antonio L 87–90 (OT) Rose (28) Davis (10) Jackson,
Miller,
Perkins (4) 		Alamodome 5–3
9 November 19, 1999 Atlanta L 99–105 Miller,
Smits (21) 		Harrington (8) Jackson (12) Conseco Fieldhouse 5–4
10 November 20, 1999 @ Cleveland W 107–98 Rose (22) Croshere (8) Jackson,
Rose (9) 		Gund Arena 6–4
11 November 22, 1999 @ Boston L 85–95 Davis (19) Davis (12) Jackson (8) FleetCenter 6–5
12 November 25, 1999 Detroit L 99–107 Smits (23) Davis (8) Jackson (10) Conseco Fieldhouse 6–6
13 November 26, 1999 Vancouver W 105–86 Smits (17) Croshere,
Smits (5) 		Best (6) Conseco Fieldhouse 7–6
14 November 28, 1999
8:00 p.m. EST 		@ Seattle L 91–102 Davis (19) Davis (12) Best (5) Key Arena
14,644 		7–7
15 November 29, 1999
10:00 p.m. EST 		@ Portland W 93–91 Rose (22) Davis (12) Jackson (9) Rose Garden
20,049 		8–7
December: 12–2 (home: 8–0; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
16 December 1, 1999 @ Vancouver W 96–89 Miller (26) Croshere (9) Jackson (10) General Motors Place 9–7
17 December 3, 1999
8:00 p.m. EST 		@ Utah W 100–75 Miller (31) Davis (13) Jackson (9) Delta Center
19,084 		10–7
18 December 7, 1999 San Antonio W 83–77 Miller (23) Davis (16) Jackson (9) Conseco Fieldhouse 11–7
19 December 10, 1999 Cleveland W 136–88 Smits (25) Davis (20) Miller (8) Conseco Fieldhouse 13–7
20 December 11, 1999 L.A. Clippers W 108–90 Miller (26) Davis (18) Jackson (9) Conseco Fieldhouse 14–7
21 December 14, 1999 @ Toronto L 97–105 Rose (21) Davis (10) Best (7) Air Canada Centre 13–8
22 December 15, 1999 Chicago W 102–91 Croshere (21) Smits (8) Jackson (5) Conseco Fieldhouse 14–8
23 December 17, 1999
7:00 p.m. EST 		Utah W 89–74 Miller (19) Croshere (11) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		15–8
24 December 18, 1999 @ Milwaukee L 95–109 Miller (21) Davis (15) Jackson (10) Bradley Center 15–9
25 December 21, 1999
7:00 p.m. EST 		Seattle W 113–103 Miller (31) Davis (9) Jackson,
Rose (11) 		Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		16–9
26 December 25, 1999
7:00 p.m. EST 		New York W 101–90 Miller (26) Croshere (10) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		17–9
27 December 27, 1999 @ Chicago W 103–91 Davis (21) Davis (8) Jackson (13) United Center 18–9
28 December 29, 1999 @ Atlanta W 116–89 Miller (25) Davis (12) Jackson (14) Philips Arena 19–9
29 December 30, 1999 Charlotte W 109–99 Miller (30) Davis (11) Jackson (11) Conseco Fieldhouse 20–9
January: 8–6 (home: 6–0; road: 2–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
30 January 4, 2000 New Jersey W 116–111 Miller (24) Smits (9) Jackson (15) Conseco Fieldhouse 21–9
31 January 6, 2000 @ Denver W 102–87 Miller (20) Croshere,
Davis,
Perkins (7) 		Jackson (10) Pepsi Center 22–9
32 January 8, 2000 @ L.A. Clippers L 94–107 Best (20) Davis,
Rose,
Smits (6) 		Jackson (6) Staples Center 22–10
33 January 9, 2000
9:00 p.m. EST 		@ Sacramento L 113–116 Croshere (22) Davis (12) Best (8) ARCO Arena
17,317 		22–11
34 January 12, 2000 Washington W 117–102 Rose (25) Davis (13) Jackson (13) Conseco Fieldhouse 23–11
35 January 14, 2000
8:00 p.m. EST 		L.A. Lakers W 111–102 Miller (22) Croshere (12) Jackson (8) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		24–11
36 January 15, 2000 @ Orlando W 96–89 Croshere (14) Davis (11) Rose (6) Orlando Arena 25–11
37 January 17, 2000 @ Minnesota L 100–101 Smits (20) Croshere (13) Jackson (11) Target Center 25–12
38 January 19, 2000 Milwaukee W 106–84 Miller (29) Davis (13) Jackson (12) Conseco Fieldhouse 26–12
39 January 21, 2000 @ Washington L 113–123 Miller,
Rose (21) 		Davis (9) Jackson (13) MCI Center 26–13
40 January 22, 2000
8:30 p.m. EST 		@ Philadelphia L 97–103 Miller (28) Davis (15) Jackson (9) First Union Center
20,623 		26–14
41 January 24, 2000 @ Chicago L 82–83 Rose (18) Davis (11) Jackson (12) United Center 26–15
42 January 25, 2000
7:00 p.m. EST 		Phoenix W 93–87 Miller (21) Davis,
Rose (9) 		Jackson (8) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		27–15
43 January 29, 2000
6:30 p.m. EST 		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
44 February 1, 2000 Boston W 99–96 Smits (26) Davis (14) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse 29–15
45 February 4, 2000
8:00 p.m. EST 		Sacramento W 104–94 Rose (22) Davis (13) Jackson (15) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		30–15
46 February 5, 2000 @ Orlando L 102–107 Rose (25) Davis (14) Best,
Jackson,
Rose (4) 		Orlando Arena 30–16
47 February 7, 2000
7:00 p.m. EST 		Philadelphia W 109–84 Miller (32) Rose (7) McKey,
Rose (6) 		Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		31–16
48 February 9, 2000 @ Boston W 113–104 Rose (23) Davis (11) Jackson (9) FleetCenter 32–16
All-Star Break
49 February 16, 2000 Toronto W 109–101 Rose (32) Davis (13) Jackson (15) Conseco Fieldhouse 33–16
50 February 17, 2000 @ Milwaukee W 92–90 Miller (23) Croshere,
Davis,
Jackson (9) 		Jackson (9) Bradley Center 34–16
51 February 19, 2000
3:30 p.m. EST 		@ New York L 73–87 Miller (16) Davis (16) Jackson (6) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		34–17
52 February 21, 2000 Dallas W 94–93 Rose (28) Davis,
McKey (8) 		Jackson (6) Conseco Fieldhouse 35–17
53 February 23, 2000 @ Detroit W 118–111 Smits (29) Smits (9) Jackson (14) The Palace of Auburn Hills 36–17
54 February 24, 2000 Chicago W 100–83 Rose (22) McKey (10) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse 37–17
55 February 26, 2000 Golden State W 104–88 Rose (29) Perkins (7) Jackson (9) Conseco Fieldhouse 38–17
56 February 29, 2000 Detroit W 115–105 Miller (24) Smits (12) Jackson (13) Conseco Fieldhouse 39–17
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, 2000
9:00 p.m. EST 		@ Phoenix L 87–118 Best (20) Croshere,
Davis (9) 		Jackson (8) America West Arena
19,023 		39–18
58 March 3, 2000
10:30 p.m. EST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 92–107 Miller (22) Davis (13) Jackson (6) Staples Center
18,997 		39–19
59 March 5, 2000 @ Golden State W 114–95 Croshere (18) Davis (8) Jackson (8) The Arena in Oakland 40–19
60 March 7, 2000 Denver W 90–89 Rose (19) Davis (11) Rose (9) Conseco Fieldhouse 41–19
61 March 9, 2000
7:00 p.m. EST 		Portland W 127–119 (OT) Jackson (23) Davis (13) Jackson (9) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		42–19
62 March 10, 2000 @ Cleveland W 95–92 Miller (28) McKey,
Smits (8) 		Jackson (9) Gund Arena 43–19
63 March 12, 2000
12:30 p.m. EST 		Miami L 96–105 Miller (26) Davis (8) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse 43–20
64 March 14, 2000 @ Dallas L 90–111 Best (26) Croshere,
Rose (13) 		Best (5) Reunion Arena 43–21
65 March 15, 2000 @ Atlanta W 113–107 Rose (32) Croshere (11) Jackson (10) Philips Arena 44–21
66 March 17, 2000 Houston W 111–102 Rose (35) Croshere (13) Jackson (8) Conseco Fieldhouse 45–21
67 March 18, 2000 Charlotte W 113–99 Rose (22) Smits (12) Jackson (9) Conseco Fieldhouse 46–21
68 March 21, 2000
8:00 p.m. EST 		New York W 95–91 Rose (28) Croshere (8) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		47–21
69 March 23, 2000 Milwaukee L 84–105 Rose (22) Croshere (7) Jackson (5) Conseco Fieldhouse 47–22
70 March 26, 2000
12:30 p.m. EST 		Philadelphia L 101–111 Rose (19) Smits (7) Best,
Jackson (5) 		Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		47–23
71 March 28, 2000 @ New Jersey L 106–111 Rose (27) Croshere (10) Jackson (11) Continental Airlines Arena 47–24
72 March 31, 2000 Minnesota W 109–85 Best (27) Davis,
Perkins (9) 		Best (7) Conseco Fieldhouse 48–24
April: 8–2 (home: 4–0; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
73 April 2, 2000 @ Toronto W 104–83 Rose (23) Davis,
Perkins (7) 		Jackson (10) Air Canada Centre 49–24
74 April 5, 2000 New Jersey W 105–101 Smits (25) Davis (11) Jackson (8) Conseco Fieldhouse 50–24
75 April 7, 2000 Cleveland W 95–94 Rose (26) Rose (13) Jackson (6) Conseco Fieldhouse 51–24
76 April 9, 2000 @ Charlotte L 80–96 Rose (18) Davis (14) Jackson (8) Charlotte Coliseum 51–25
77 April 10, 2000
7:00 p.m. EST 		@ New York L 81–83 Jackson (13) Davis (12) Jackson (5) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		51–26
78 April 12, 2000 Toronto W 77–74 Rose (24) Davis (14) Jackson,
Rose (4) 		Conseco Fieldhouse 52–26
79 April 14, 2000
7:00 p.m. EST 		@ Miami W 105–101 Miller (26) Davis (7) Jackson (5) American Airlines Arena 53–26
80 April 16, 2000 @ Detroit W 112–101 Miller (21) Davis (15) Jackson (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills 54–26
81 April 17, 2000
7:00 p.m. EST 		@ Philadelphia W 92–90 Mullin (21) Smits (10) Rose (9) First Union Center
20,797 		55–26
82 April 19, 2000 Atlanta W 111–92 Rose (19) Foster (13) Jackson (8) Conseco Fieldhouse 56–26
1999–00 schedule

Playoffs

2000 playoff game log
Eastern Conference 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, 2000 Milwaukee W 88–85 Rose (26) Davis (17) Jackson (11) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–0
2 April 27, 2000 Milwaukee L 91–104 Croshere (16) Davis (12) Jackson (5) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–1
3 April 29, 2000 @ Milwaukee W 109–96 Miller (34) Croshere (11) Miller,
Rose (5) 		Bradley Center
18,717 		2–1
4 May 1, 2000 @ Milwaukee L 87–100 Rose (17) Davis (10) Jackson (6) Bradley Center
18,072 		2–2
5 May 4, 2000 Milwaukee W 96–95 Miller (41) Davis (12) Jackson (8) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		3–2
Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 6, 2000
2:30 p.m. EST 		Philadelphia W 108–91 Miller,
Rose (40) 		Croshere (11) Jackson (10) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–0
2 May 8, 2000
7:00 p.m. EST 		Philadelphia W 103–97 Rose (30) Rose (7) Jackson (14) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		2–0
3 May 10, 2000
7:00 p.m. EST 		@ Philadelphia W 97–89 Miller (29) Davis (17) Jackson (8) First Union Center
20,823 		3–0
4 May 13, 2000
2:30 p.m. EST 		@ Philadelphia L 90–92 Smits (20) Davis (11) Jackson (7) First Union Center
20,675 		3–1
5 May 15, 2000
7:00 p.m. EST 		Philadelphia L 86–107 Smits (15) Davis (8) Jackson,
Rose (6) 		Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		3–2
6 May 19, 2000
5:30 p.m. EST 		@ Philadelphia W 106–90 Miller (25) Davis (11) Jackson (11) First Union Center
20,969 		4–2
Eastern 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, 2000
7:30 p.m. EST 		New York W 102–88 Croshere (22) Davis (16) Jackson (13) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–0
2 May 25, 2000
7:30 p.m. EST 		New York W 88–84 Rose (24) Davis (16) Jackson (5) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		2–0
3 May 27, 2000
2:30 p.m. EST 		@ New York L 95–98 Rose (26) Davis (16) Jackson,
Rose (6) 		Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–1
4 May 29, 2000
4:30 p.m. EST 		@ New York L 89–91 Miller (24) Davis (11) Jackson (7) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		2–2
5 May 31, 2000
8:00 p.m. EST 		New York W 88–79 Best (24) McKey (9) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		3–2
6 June 2, 2000
6:00 p.m. EST 		@ New York W 93–80 Miller (34) 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, 2000
8:00 p.m. EST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 87–104 Jackson (18) Davis (8) Jackson (7) Staples Center
18,997 		0–1
2 June 9, 2000
8:00 p.m. EST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 104–111 Rose (30) Davis (10) Jackson (8) Staples Center
18,997 		0–2
3 June 11, 2000
6:30 p.m. EST 		L.A. Lakers W 100–91 Miller (33) Davis (12) Jackson (6) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–2
4 June 14, 2000
8:00 p.m. EST 		L.A. Lakers L 118–120 (OT) Miller (35) Davis (8) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		1–3
5 June 16, 2000
8:00 p.m. EST 		L.A. Lakers W 120–87 Rose (32) Croshere (9) Jackson (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		2–3
6 June 19, 2000
8:00 p.m. EST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 111–116 Rose (29) Davis (14) Jackson (11) Staples Center
18,997 		2–4
2000 schedule

Game officials

Pre season

Regular season

Game Date Opponent Officials
2 11–4–1999 @ Charlotte
4 11–9–1999 @ Miami Matt Boland, No. 7 Bernie Fryer, No. 57 Greg Willard
8 11–16–1999 @ San Antonio
12 11–25–1999 Detroit
14 11–28–1999 @ Seattle No. 7 Bernie Fryer, Monty McCutchen, No. 57 Greg Willard
15 11–29–1999 @ Portland No. 41 Ken Mauer, Violet Palmer, Leroy Richardson
17 12–3–1999 @ Utah No. 17 Joe Crawford, Michael Smith, No. 51 Mark Wunderlich
18 12–7–1999 San Antonio
21 12–14–1999 @ Toronto
23 12–17–1999 Utah No. 43 Dan Crawford, Derek Richardson, Bill Spooner
24 12–18–1999 @ Milwaukee
25 12–21–1999 Seattle No. 19 James Capers, No. 17 Joe Crawford, No. 51 Mark Wunderlich
26 12–25–1999 New York Ted Bernhardt, No. 13 Mike Mathis, Michael Smith
29 12–30–1999 Charlotte
33 1–9–2000 @ Sacramento No. 25 Hugh Evans, No. 8 Luis Grillo, No 37 Blaine Reichelt
35 1–14–2000 L.A. Lakers Hank Armstrong, No. 43 Dan Crawford, Jim Kinsey
37 1–17–2000 @ Minnesota
38 1–19–2000 Milwaukee
40 1–22–2000 @ Philadelphia No. 27 Dick Bavetta, Dee Kantner, No. 49 Tom Washington
42 1–25–2000 Phoenix No. 29 Steve Javie, No. 37 Blaine Reichelt, No. 32 Eddie F. Rush
43 1–29–2000 Miami No. 24 Mike Callahan, Rodney Mott, No. 35 Jack Nies
45 2–4–2000 Sacramento Tim Donaghy, Bill Kennedy, No. 13 Mike Mathis
47 2–7–2000 Philadelphia Gary Benson, No. 17 Joe Crawford, No. 41 Ken Mauer
49 2–16–2000 Toronto
50 2–17–2000 @ Milwaukee
51 2–19–2000 @ New York No. 29 Steve Javie, Bill Kennedy, No. 41 Ken Mauer
53 2–23–2000 @ Detroit
56 2–29–2000 Detroit
57 3–2–2000 @ Phoenix No. 8 Luis Grillo, No. 29 Steve Javie, Bill Kennedy
58 3–3–2000 @ L.A. Lakers Gary Benson, No. 45 Joe Forte, David Jones
61 3–9–2000 Portland Derek Richardson, Leroy Richardson, No. 32 Eddie F. Rush
63 3–12–2000 Miami No.27 Dick Bavetta, Kevin Fehr, No. 51 Mark Wunderlich
67 3–18–2000 Charlotte
68 3–21–2000 New York No. 43 Dan Crawford, No. 14 Derrick Stafford, George Toliver
69 3–23–2000 Milwaukee
70 3–26–2000 Philadelphia Tony Brothers, No. 26 Bob Delaney, Joe DeRosa
72 3–31–2000 Minnesota
73 4–2–2000 @ Toronto
76 4–9–2000 @ Charlotte
77 4–10–2000 @ New York No. 17 Joe Crawford, No. 28 Tommy Nunez, Michael Smith
78 4–12–2000 Toronto
79 4–14–2000 @ Miami Marc Davis, No. 20 Jess Kersey, No. 15 Bennett Salvatore
80 4–16–2000 @ Detroit
81 4–17–2000 @ Philadelphia No. 6 Jim Clark, Sean Corbin, No. 25 Hugh Evans

Playoffs

Game Round Date Opponent Officials Alternate
1 Eastern Conference First Round 4–23–2000 Milwaukee No. 27 Dick Bavetta, No. 35 Jack Nies, No. 12 Don Vaden
2 Eastern Conference First Round 4–27–2000 Milwaukee No. 34 Ronnie Nunn, No. 15 Bennett Salvatore, No. 14 Derrick Stafford
3 Eastern Conference First Round 4–29–2000 @ Milwaukee No. 25 Hugh Evans, No. 41 Ken Mauer, No. 51 Mark Wunderlich
4 Eastern Conference First Round 5–1–2000 @ Milwaukee No. 43 Dan Crawford, No. 24 Mike Callahan, No. 6 Jim Clark
5 Eastern Conference First Round 5–4–2000 Milwaukee No. 17 Joe Crawford, No. 29 Steve Javie, No. 32 Eddie F. Rush
1 Eastern Conference Semifinals 5–6–2000 Philadelphia No. 31 Terry Durham, No. 10 Ron Garretson, No. 41 Ken Mauer
2 Eastern Conference Semifinals 5–8–2000 Philadelphia No. 17 Joe Crawford, No. 26 Bob Delaney, No. 45 Joe Forte
3 Eastern Conference Semifinals 5–10–2000 @ Philadelphia No. 43 Dan Crawford, No. 8 Luis Grillo, No. 42 Hue Hollins
4 Eastern Conference Semifinals 5–13–2000 @ Philadelphia No. 34 Ronnie Nunn, No. 15 Bennett Salvatore, No. 12 Don Vaden
5 Eastern Conference Semifinals 5–15–2000 Philadelphia No. 27 Dick Bavetta, No. 29 Steve Javie, No. 49 Tom Washington
6 Eastern Conference Semifinals 5–19–2000 @ Philadelphia No. 25 Hugh Evans, No. 7 Bernie Fryer, No. 32 Eddie F. Rush
1 Eastern Conference Finals 5–23–2000 New York No. 17 Joe Crawford, No. 34 Ronnie Nunn, No. 42 Hue Hollins
2 Eastern Conference Finals 5–25–2000 New York No. 31 Terry Durham, No. 7 Bernie Fryer, No. 10 Ron Garretson
3 Eastern Conference Finals 5–27–2000 @ New York No. 43 Dan Crawford, No. 35 Jack Nies, No. 26 Bob Delaney
4 Eastern Conference Finals 5–29–2000 @ New York No. 29 Steve Javie, No. 32 Eddie F. Rush, No. 13 Mike Mathis
5 Eastern Conference Finals 5–31–2000 New York No. 27 Dick Bavetta, No. 25 Hugh Evans, No. 41 Ken Mauer
6 Eastern Conference Finals 6–2–2000 @ New York No. 17 Joe Crawford, No. 15 Bennett Salvatore, No. 12 Don Vaden
1 NBA Finals 6–7–2000 @ L.A. Lakers No. 43 Dan Crawford, No. 31 Terry Durham, No. 35 Jack Nies
2 NBA Finals 6–9–2000 @ L.A. Lakers No. 17 Joe Crawford, No. 32 Eddie F. Rush, No. 15 Bennett Salvatore
3 NBA Finals 6–11–2000 L.A. Lakers No. 25 Hugh Evans, No. 7 Bernie Fryer, No. 10 Ron Garretson
4 NBA Finals 6–14–2000 L.A. Lakers No. 27 Dick Bavetta, No. 29 Steve Javie, No. 34 Ronnie Nunn
5 NBA Finals 6–16–2000 L.A. Lakers No. 43 Dan Crawford, No. 35 Jack Nies, No. 15 Bennett Salvatore
6 NBA Finals 6–19–2000 @ L.A. Lakers No. 17 Joe Crawford, No. 25 Hugh Evans, No. 10 Ron Garretson

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

[48]

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), [49] and A.C. Green (member of the last two Lakers championship teams). [50]

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. [51] 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, [52] 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. [53] The Lakers then defeated Sacramento in Game 5, 113–86, to face the Phoenix Suns in the conference semi-finals. [54] The Lakers clobbered the Suns, winning the series 4–1 (with their only loss coming in Game 4). [55] [56] 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. [57] The Trail Blazers stormed back in the next game, giving the Lakers their worst home loss of the season in a 106–77 shellacking. [58] This setback did not affect Los Angeles, as they assembled a 3–1 series lead by winning the next two games in Portland. [59] 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. [60] [61] Amid several controversial foul calls by referee Dick Bavetta against members of the Trail Blazers, [62] Portland relinquished a 75–60 fourth quarter lead. [63] Rallying back with a 25–4 run, the Lakers won the game and secured a berth in the NBA Finals. [64] [65]

In the 1997–1998 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls narrowly defeated the Pacers, 4 games to 3, in the Eastern Conference finals. [66] 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. [67] The 1999–2000 NBA season brought several major changes to the Pacers. It was their first season at Conseco Fieldhouse, [68] 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. [69] Jalen Rose replaced Chris Mullin in the starting line up, winning the NBA Most Improved Player award, [70] 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. [71] 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. [72] Indiana faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round and took the series in six games, earning a trip to the Eastern Conference finals. [73] The Pacers would face their rival Knicks, [74] winning a memorable six-game series in a reversal of fortunes from years past. [75] 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. [76] [77] [78] 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. [79]

[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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