Game Five of the 2000 NBA Finals: The NBA Finals Revivals
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers Game Five
Location: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Date: June 16, 2000
Starting line-ups:
Indiana Pacers
Reggie Miller
Jalen Rose
Mark Jackson
Dale Davis
Rik Smits
Head Coach — Larry Bird
LA Lakers
Shaquille O’Neal
Kobe Bryant
Glen Rice
A.C. Green
Ron Harper
Head Coach — Phil Jackson
And we’re back for game fünf! Jim Gray kicks us off with a little bit of Ron Harper wisdom… The Harpman admits that the Lakers have not been good in close-out games so far in these playoffs. And that this game tonight (well, 21 years ago) isn’t about offense. It’s about defense.
That seems like one of those sentiments that sounds meaningful at first. But as you walk away, you realize that could also be kinda empty. Will this turn out to be a nothing-esque platitude? Or a profound prophecy based on a pinpoint prognostication?
On the other side of the court, the Pacers say they are extremely confident. “If you look at their bulletin board in their locker room, you can see it says the Pacers win it 4 games to 3…”
Um, okay… it’s not exactly a Captain America speech. I can’t imagine it ignites a flame of furious competition in the hearts and long black socks of the Pacers.
Instead, let’s get Jake The Snake back in.. He might be able to put some fuel in their tank.
Oh, and it is Larry Bird’s last season as a coach. If they lose tonight, it’s Bye Bye Birdie (I am soooo sorry!)
Alright, let’s do this!
Rik Smits was 11–14 in F.G.s in the last game. That sneaky Dutchman! And right away in the first quarter, he throws some moves on Shaq in the paint and gets the bucket. It looks like he is still cock-of-the-walking it after O’Neal fouled out in O.T. last time. But, can this swagger continue?
Soon enough, Reggie follows it with a three. It’s wild that he can get an open look like that. The replay showed him hiding behind Big Shaq for a moment, then, I guess the Lakers just forgot all about him. He quickly zipped out for a wide-open corner three. He is their top shooter. You’d think they may keep their peepers upon him, right?
After the first few minutes, it does seem like the Lakers are a bit discombobulated. Harper has been holding it down on the offense so far. And that Indiana is taking full advantage. But then the commentators gotta go over the top with their Miller Swooning again. “If you throw out Game 1 where he was 1–16, Miller has been brilliant.” No, he hasn’t! He has completely disappeared in the fourth quarter of most of this series. And in the last game, Miller went on a field goal drought from the first quarter, all the way until the end of the 3rd. I’ve said it before… I’m not a Reggie hater. But this faux idolizing, building the legend stuff is too much. He just has just been an absent superstar for a lot of the series. Making up for it on the free throw line shouldn’t be enough. Start getting some assists if your shot isn’t landing — Anyway, watch him smoke this game after my mini-rant just there 😅
After two made free throws from the Veteran-of-the-Netherlands, Kobe has the ball and dishes it out to Shaq, who has puzzlingly drifted out to the 3-point line. What are you doing out there, Superman? O’Neal takes a mid-range no-arc free throw-esque jumper that just darts off the board. Bizarre play.
I mean, for the modern game, this wouldn’t be a big deal. Players like Joel Emiid, 7-foot tall, with an 80% FT percentage can hit threes pretty confidently. But back in 2000, the big man looks out of place that far from the hoop.
The Laker woes continue, as Shaq makes an impressive interception but immediately loses it to Rose, which leads to a 4-point play by Reggie! Yikes!
Then Perkins hits a three. Rose hits a three. Davis hits two mid-rangers…
The 1st quarter ends, 39–28, Pacers lead… And Indiana is also 6 for 6 from three-point land. Did not expect to see the Splash Brothers 2000 out here. Also, nearly all of the threes were uncontested. I guess Harper was right about defense after all.
After the strong start, the Pacer struggled early in the second. Especially after Shaq blocks a three-pointer, he gets the dish at the other side of the fast break for a jam. That block was wild. It looked like a wide-open jumper when Perkins was going up. But the long arm of the LAw quickly countered.
Halfway through the second, Rose has 20 points and gives the Pacers a 17 point lead. I think this could be going the way I think it could be going… Back to L.A. for game 6 🤔
The action gets fast and frenetic — lots of fast shots and recoveries. Shaq slams a dunk and hangs on the rim, hovering above Perkins. That must be some view from where Sam is sitting. O’Neal must be eclipsing the Conseco Fieldhouse from up above.
Then, Kobe gets his third foul on Reggie. And Smits gets his third on Shaq… Who tosses Smits to the floor like he was an undesirable item. It’s wild how powerful O’Neal is. I guess it’s important for Shaq to remind people of that, right Smits?
With the final minute in the first half, Pacers bench Smits and put in Žan Tabak. The idea is that Tabak eats the fouls when Shaq touches the ball. This play, I suppose, is commonly referred to as the Tabak-Hack-A-Shaq Attack. Even if Shaq only gets a tap, it’s enough for Tabak to get in a whack. Got it, Jack?
And the first half comes to a blowout close, as Perkins attempts a behind-the-back buzzer-beating three (You read that right... It doesn’t go in, though). Pacers are up by 19 points: 64–45.
At halftime, the trend of the Miller interview continues. Reggie definitely had aspirations for broadcasting. It’s gotta be why he seems to jump at the chance for an interview. Smart, forward-thinking move, if that’s the case.
The second half starts with Kobe getting blocked by Reggie. And then Reggie intercepted a pass to Kobe. Pretty nice, Miller! Except, he fumbled an easy pass to Jackson while trying to take a fast break contested three. He really isn’t much of a play-maker, is he? I mean, that should’ve been a simple pass and layup.
A bit later, Jackson trips into Shaq and gets a jump ball. I wonder which way that is going to go 😅
After a rare drive and dunk by Kobe (Rare for this series, I mean.. He has been sticking to his MJ jumpers for the most part), Davis gets his third foul, and Smits gets his fourth.
Kobe showed a lot of energy in the third. He seemed to be trying to pick up the slack for his team — very aggressive moves. But the shots just aren’t going in. He was trying too hard. Like, if he goes faster, pushes harder, it’ll all work out. But this quarter just shows that it’s not enough. Kobe racks up his 5th foul in the third as well. He’s Benched!
After two impressive jump shots in a row, Smits gets his fifth foul. He’s benched! Actually, I feel sorry for Ric. Seems like he is pretty great if he can develop a rhythm. But with Shaq on the court, it’s just an impossible task.
After a rather action-packed third, it’s surprising to see that the Lakers end up down 19 still, going into the 4th. Like Kobe, I think the Lakers were just throwing everything they had at the hoop. But nothing was really landing.
The fourth starts with Fisher fouling Reggie on a missed three, then getting a technical. Miller gets 4 free throws. Funny to say this so early in the fourth, but this feels like one of those plays that kinda wraps things up. But look, I am an idiot, so we’ll see what happens.
Oh, Miller hit all of the frees… But that’s not really news (He has only missed one free throw until then in the whole series!). And then all of a sudden, there is an odd moment that leads to a flurry of technical fouls — Miller, Fox & Jackson (Sounds like a Law Firm)
Miller tries a sneaky shove to Fox, Fox bumps back and gets caught by the teacher… Um, the Ref. Miller is like, “I don’t know why he shoved me.” Then Jalen starts laughing. Jackson gets a little shove in, and he gets called as well. It’s like when all your kids start acting up. And this is the face my son has when he realizes he ain’t getting away with it:
But man, Miller follows that up with a devastating three to get their lead to 25! I mean, this was a modern three. Close to the stadium logo.
And Fox Is Not Having ANY Of It!
The fourth starts to slow down a bit. The end settles in early. A blowout is being accepted by both sides.
That being said, Croshere does heat up in the fourth. Throughout this whole series, I’ve been digging Austin Croshere. He hustles for every play. Looks like he’s making the most of each minute he’s been given. Nice work, mister!
And with — minutes left in the game, Miller takes a seat. Thunderous ovation — and well-earned.
Shaq then takes to the bench. With a low rumble of boos. Are they sad he’s sitting? Or mad that John Salley enters the game? 🤔
Once Kobe sits, the rest of the game is pretty much just running the clock. It’s basically an exhibition until the buzzer belts. Well, Chris Mullin gets some minutes. And there’s a nice moment when he hits a jumper, and the crowd roars. This might be the last shot for his career, and the crowd knows it.
And that’s it. The clock runs out. The crowd goes wild. And the last game in Indiana, with Bird as the head coach, has come to an end.
I guess Harper was right: When looking at a 120–87 blowout, defense was needed. Now it is back to LA for the next in the series.
The track I listened to while writing this piece was Dr. Dre’s 2001 Instrumental.
For a more stat-based breakdown of the game, click here to peep the Basketball-Reference.
