What Is 2000 NBA Eastern Conference finals

Overview

The 2000 NBA Eastern Conference Finals marked a pivotal moment in Eastern Conference basketball, as the Indiana Pacers advanced to their first NBA Finals in six years. The series pitted the top-seeded Pacers against the eighth-seeded New York Knicks, creating one of the most competitive matchups of the 1999–2000 postseason.

Indiana, led by Reggie Miller and coached by Larry Bird, entered the series with a 56–26 regular-season record, while the Knicks overcame adversity to reach the conference finals as a low seed. The series featured intense defense, dramatic finishes, and a defining performance by Miller, who solidified his legacy as a clutch playoff performer.

• Game 1: Indiana won 95–88 at home on May 20, 2000, with Reggie Miller scoring 23 points and grabbing 6 rebounds.
• Game 2: The Pacers extended their lead with a 98–82 victory, as Rik Smits contributed 18 points and 7 rebounds.
• Game 3: Played at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks responded with a 93–86 win, led by Allan Houston’s 25 points.
• Game 4: Indiana tied the series with a 93–86 overtime win, sparked by Jalen Rose’s 28-point performance.
• Game 6: The Pacers closed the series with a 93–88 win on May 29, 2000, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1994.

Key Players and Performances

The series showcased standout performances from veteran stars and emerging contributors on both teams. While Miller dominated the headlines, supporting roles from teammates proved crucial in tight games.

• Reggie Miller: Averaged 27.4 points per game and shot 44% from three-point range, including a 30-point outburst in Game 5.
• Jalen Rose: Averaged 21.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, providing consistent scoring alongside Miller.
• Alonzo Mourning: Despite playing through injury, averaged 19.3 points and 9.2 rebounds for the Knicks.
• Allan Houston: Scored 20.5 points per game and hit several clutch shots, including a 35-point game in Game 3.
• Rik Smits: Provided interior presence with 14.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, particularly effective in home wins.
• Larry Johnson: Contributed 13.8 points per game off the bench, helping New York stay competitive in close contests.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key statistics between the Pacers and Knicks during the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals:

The Pacers held advantages in scoring efficiency and rebounding, which proved decisive in tight games. Their depth and home-court dominance at Market Square Arena gave them a consistent edge, especially in Game 1 and Game 6. While the Knicks fought hard, particularly on the road, they struggled to contain Miller and Rose in critical moments.

Why It Matters

The 2000 Eastern Conference Finals was a turning point for the Pacers franchise and a final chapter in the Knicks’ late-1990s playoff run. It highlighted the evolution of Eastern Conference basketball entering the 2000s, where team balance and perimeter shooting began to outweigh pure physicality.

• Indiana’s advancement marked the first time the franchise reached the NBA Finals in the Larry Bird coaching era.
• The series showcased Reggie Miller’s legacy as one of the greatest clutch performers in NBA playoff history.
• For the Knicks, the loss signaled the end of a competitive era, as key players aged and injuries mounted.
• The Pacers’ run demonstrated the importance of balanced scoring and veteran leadership in deep playoff runs.
• It was one of the last major playoff appearances for Madison Square Garden before a rebuilding phase.
• The outcome influenced future draft strategies and trades for both franchises in the early 2000s.

This series remains a benchmark for Pacers fans and a reminder of the intensity that defined late-1990s and early-2000s NBA basketball. With passionate performances and high stakes, the 2000 Eastern Conference Finals left a lasting impact on the league’s postseason narrative.