1999–2000 Indiana Pacers season

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]

1999–2000 Indiana Pacers season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coach	Larry Bird
General manager	Donnie Walsh
President	Donnie Walsh
Owners	Herbert Simon Melvin Simon
Arena	Conseco Fieldhouse
Results
Record	56–26 (.683)
Place	Division: 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 >

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] 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,^[11] 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.^[12] Miller and Davis were both selected for the 2000 NBA All-Star Game in Oakland, California.^{[13][14][15][16][17]}

In the playoffs, the Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in five games in the Eastern Conference First Round,^{[18][19][20][21]} and the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals,^{[22][23][24][25]} 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.^{[26][27][28][29]} However, the Pacers would lose in the Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.^{[30][31][32][33][34]}

Following the season, Larry Bird resigned as head coach after three seasons,^[35] while Davis was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers,^[36][37][38] Mullin was released and later re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Golden State Warriors,^[39] Jackson signed with the Toronto Raptors,^[40][41] and Smits retired after playing 12 seasons in the NBA with the Pacers.^[42][43]

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   6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1977–01–16 Texas State F 3 Harrington, Al   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 Larry Bird Assistant coach(es) Rick Carlisle Dick Harter Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended   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.^[44]

Season standings

Central Division v t e	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 v t e
	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

^[45]

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),^[46] and A. C. Green (member of the last two Lakers championship teams).^[47]

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.^[48] 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,^[49] 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.^[50] The Lakers then defeated Sacramento in Game 5, 113–86, to face the Phoenix Suns in the conference semi-finals.^[51] The Lakers clobbered the Suns, winning the series 4–1 (with their only loss coming in Game 4).^[52][53] 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.^[54] The Trail Blazers stormed back in the next game, giving the Lakers their worst home loss of the season in a 106–77 shellacking.^[55] This setback did not affect Los Angeles, as they assembled a 3–1 series lead by winning the next two games in Portland.^[56] 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.^[57][58] Amid several controversial foul calls by referee Dick Bavetta against members of the Trail Blazers,^[59] Portland relinquished a 75–60 fourth quarter lead.^[60] Rallying back with a 25–4 run, the Lakers won the game and secured a berth in the NBA Finals.^[61][62]

In the 1997–1998 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls narrowly defeated the Pacers, 4 games to 3, in the Eastern Conference finals.^[63] 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.^[64] The 1999–2000 NBA season brought several major changes to the Pacers. It was their first season at Conseco Fieldhouse,^[65] 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.^[66] Jalen Rose replaced Chris Mullin in the starting line up, winning the NBA Most Improved Player award,^[67] 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.^[68] 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.^[69] Indiana faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round and took the series in six games, earning a trip to the Eastern Conference finals.^[70] The Pacers would face their rival Knicks,^[71] winning a memorable six game series in a reversal of fortunes from years past.^[72] 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.^[73][74][75] 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.^[76]

[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

• Jalen Rose, NBA Most Improved Player Award
• Reggie Miller, NBA All-Star Game
• Dale Davis, NBA All-Star Game

Transactions

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