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Reggie Miller delivered quite a handful of memorable moments during his illustrious career but few sit in the same league as his performance during game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks. During that game, Miller scored eight points in nine minutes in the fourth quarter to help the Indiana Pacers overturn a six-point Knicks lead and win the game 107-105.
Buildup to Miller’s Eight Points in Nine Seconds Moment
The Pacers had finished the 1994/95 regular season as the leaders of the Central Division with a 52-30 record. In the first round of the playoffs, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks in three straight games. The Knicks on the other hand were runners-up in the Atlantic Division before beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-1 in the first round. Coming into the game, Reggie Miller who had proved himself over the past few seasons was the undisputed superstar of the tie.
Reggie Drops Eight Points in Nine Seconds
With 18.7 seconds left, the Knicks were leading 105-99 and a Pacers comeback looked virtually impossible. Off an ensuing inbounds pass, Miller made a three pointer, which cut the lead to three points with barely 16 seconds left. From the resulting inbounds pass, Byron Scott and Miller rushed up to harass Greg Anthony with a double team, resulting in Anthony tripping and falling.
Miller then stole the inbound pass from Anthony Mason, then dribbled to the three-point line and made another three pointer. The game was now tied with miller having scored six points in just 5.7 seconds. The Madison Square garden was stunned to silence but Miller was not done yet. The Knicks inbounded the ball successfully and a foul from Indiana gave John Starks two free throws. As if luck had decided to desert the Knicks completely, Starks missed both shots and even after Patrick Ewing got the offensive rebound from the second miss, his shot bounced off the rim for a miss.
Miller collected the ensuing rebound and as he drove up the court for a possible shot, the Knicks inevitably fouled him. Miller stepped to the line and made both of his free throws after taunting the New York fans for a while. The Knicks were unable to make anything out of the resulting possession and the clock wound down to confirm a 107-105 Pacers victory.
Aftermath of the Eight Points in Nine Seconds Game
The series proceeded to game seven, with the Pacers eventually clinching the ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals where they would face the Orlando Magic, only to lose in seven games.
Miller would go on to have a stellar with the Pacers, eventually retiring in 2005. He was inducted to the NBA Hall of Fame in September 2012, with his Eight Points in Nine Seconds being arguably the finest moment of his career.
Reggie Drops Eight Points in Nine Seconds
With 18.7 seconds left, the Knicks were leading 105-99 and a Pacers comeback looked virtually impossible. Off an ensuing inbounds pass, Miller made a three pointer, which cut the lead to three points with barely 16 seconds left. From the resulting inbounds pass, Byron Scott and Miller rushed up to harass Greg Anthony with a double team, resulting in Anthony tripping and falling.
Miller then stole the inbound pass from Anthony Mason, then dribbled to the three-point line and made another three pointer. The game was now tied with miller having scored six points in just 5.7 seconds. The Madison Square garden was stunned to silence but Miller was not done yet. The Knicks inbounded the ball successfully and a foul from Indiana gave John Starks two free throws.
As if luck had decided to desert the Knicks completely, Starks missed both shots and even after Patrick Ewing got the offensive rebound from the second miss, his shot bounced off the rim for a miss. Miller collected the ensuing rebound and as he drove up the court for a possible shot, the Knicks inevitably fouled him.
Miller stepped to the line and made both of his free throws after taunting the New York fans for a while. The Knicks were unable to make anything out of the resulting possession and the clock wound down to confirm a 107-105 Pacers victory.
Aftermath of the Eight Points in Nine Seconds Game
The series proceeded to game seven, with the Pacers eventually clinching the ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals where they would face the Orlando Magic, only to lose in seven games.
Miller would go on to have a stellar with the Pacers, eventually retiring in 2005. He was inducted to the NBA Hall of Fame in September 2012, with his Eight Points in Nine Seconds being arguably the finest moment of his career.
