2000 NBA playoffs
The 2000 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1999–2000 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers four games to two in the 2000 NBA Finals. Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his career.
Article
2000 NBA playoffs
The 2000 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1999–2000 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers four games to two in the 2000 NBA Finals. Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Finals MVP for the first time in his career.
This was also the first NBA postseason to not have any back-to-backs at all. (After (/wiki/1988NBAplayoffs), they were still used in the conference semifinals.)
Overview
2000 NBA playoffs
The San Antonio Spurs were the champions going into the playoffs, but following a season–ending injury to third–year star Tim Duncan, were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the first round, marking the first time since (/wiki/1987NBAplayoffs) that a new champion would follow a team enjoying a single season championship tenure. They were also the first defending champion to be eliminated in the first round since the Philadelphia 76ers in (/wiki/1984NBAplayoffs).
The Houston Rockets missed the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/1992NBAPlayoffs), while the Seattle SuperSonics returned after a one-season absence.
The Toronto Raptors made their NBA playoff debut, becoming the first Canadian team to do so. As such, Game 3 of their first round series against the New York Knicks was the first NBA Playoff game ever played outside the United States.
For the first time in franchise history, the Miami Heat swept a playoff opponent by beating the Detroit Pistons 3–0. It was also their first playoff series victory since (/wiki/1997NBAplayoffs), when they made the Conference Finals.
Game 4 of the Trail Blazers-Timberwolves series was Malik Sealy's final NBA Game. He would lose his life in on May 20, when he was driving home after attending Kevin Garnett's birthday party and a drunk driver made a wrong-way turn and crashed into Sealy's car, killing him immediately.
In the conference semifinals, the Miami Heat and New York Knicks met for the fourth consecutive postseason. They would not meet again in the playoffs until (/wiki/2012NBAPlayoffs).
With their conference semifinals victory over the Utah Jazz, The Portland Trail Blazers advanced to their second consecutive Western Conference Finals. The Trail Blazers would not win another playoff series until (/wiki/2014NBAplayoffs).
With a Game 7 win in the conference semifinals, the New York Knicks eliminated the Miami Heat for the third consecutive postseason. The Knicks would not win another playoff series until (/wiki/2013NBAplayoffs).
In the Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers took a 3–1 series lead, only for the Portland Trail Blazers to force a Game 7. By doing so, the Trail Blazers became the first team since (/wiki/1982NBAplayoffs) to force a Game 7 in the Conference Finals despite trailing 3–1.
With their Eastern Conference Finals victory over the New York Knicks, the Indiana Pacers won their first Eastern Conference title after four previous appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals; however, after this season, the team was radically altered with key players Dale Davis, Derrick McKey and Mark Jackson moving to other teams and Rik Smits retiring. Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals was the last game Patrick Ewing ever played as a Knick. The Pacers would not win another playoff series until (/wiki/2004NBAPlayoffs).
In Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers used a 15–0 fourth quarter run to overcome a fifteen-point deficit to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers and make their first NBA Finals since (/wiki/1991NBAFinals). With the win, the Lakers also avoided the dubious distinction of becoming the seventh team in NBA History to lose a playoff series despite leading 3–1.
The Lakers' NBA Finals win over the Indiana Pacers was the first title for both Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, and the first Lakers championship since the 1988 NBA Finals. A.C. Green, the only player left from the Lakers' Showtime era, was in the Lakers starting lineup for this series as well.
Playoff qualifying
Eastern Conference
The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the East:
• Indiana Pacers – Central Division champions, Eastern Conference regular season champions (56–26) • Miami Heat – Atlantic Division champions (52–30) • New York Knicks (50–32) • Charlotte Hornets (49–33, 3–1 head-to-head vs. PHI) • Philadelphia 76ers (49–33, 1–3 head-to-head vs. CHA) • Toronto Raptors (45–37) • Detroit Pistons (42–40, 3–1 head-to-head vs. MIL) • Milwaukee Bucks (42–40, 1–3 head-to-head vs. DET)
Western Conference
The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the West:
• Los Angeles Lakers – Pacific Division champions, Western Conference regular season champions, NBA regular season champions (67–15) • Utah Jazz – Midwest Division champions (55–27) • Portland Trail Blazers (59–23) • San Antonio Spurs (53–29, 2–2 head-to-head vs. PHO) • Phoenix Suns (53–29, 2–2 head-to-head vs. SAS) • Minnesota Timberwolves (50–32) • Seattle SuperSonics (45–37) • Sacramento Kings (44–38)
Bracket
2000 NBA playoffs
This was the outlook for the playoffs. Teams in italics have home court advantage. Teams in bold advance to the next round. Numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's original playoffs seeding in their respective conferences. Numbers to the right of each team indicate the number of games the team won in that round. The division champions possess an asterisk ()
<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>First Round</th><th></th><th></th><th>Conference Semifinals</th><th></th><th></th><th>Conference Finals</th><th></th><th></th><th>NBA Finals</th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Indiana</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E8</td><td>Milwaukee</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Indiana</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E5</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E4</td><td>Charlotte</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E5</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Indiana</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Eastern Conference</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E3</td><td>New York</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E3</td><td>New York</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E6</td><td>Toronto</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E3</td><td>New York</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E2</td><td>Miami</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E2</td><td>Miami</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E7</td><td>Detroit</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Indiana</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W1</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W8</td><td>Sacramento</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W5</td><td>Phoenix</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W4</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W5</td><td>Phoenix</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Western Conference</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Portland</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Portland</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W6</td><td>Minnesota</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Portland</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>Utah</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W2</td><td>Utah</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W7</td><td>Seattle</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
First round
(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (8) Milwaukee Bucks
• In Game 5, Travis Best hits the eventual series-winning 3 with 16.5 left. Also Reggie Miller scores 18 points in the 4th quarter of game 5.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 18, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 95, Milwaukee Bucks 109</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>January 19, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 84, Indiana Pacers 106</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>February 17, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 92, Milwaukee Bucks 90</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>March 23, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 105, Indiana Pacers 84</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pacers winning the first meeting.
<table><thead><tr><th>Indiana leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 3, Milwaukee Bucks 0</td></tr><tr><td>1999 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(2) Miami Heat vs. (7) Detroit Pistons
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 2, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 122, Miami Heat 128 (2OT)</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Arena, Miami</td></tr><tr><td>January 31, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 82, Miami Heat 104</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami</td></tr><tr><td>February 21, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 87, Detroit Pistons 95</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr><tr><td>April 12, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 73, Detroit Pistons 90</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Pistons and the Heat.
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Toronto Raptors
• In Game 2, Latrell Sprewell hits the game-winner with 7.9 left.
<table><thead><tr><th>Toronto won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 22, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Toronto Raptors 90, New York Knicks 91</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr><tr><td>February 15, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 70, Toronto Raptors 91</td></tr><tr><td>Air Canada Centre, Toronto</td></tr><tr><td>February 23, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Toronto Raptors 99, New York Knicks 88</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr><tr><td>April 14, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 71, Toronto Raptors 86</td></tr><tr><td>Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Knicks and the Raptors.
(4) Charlotte Hornets vs. (5) Philadelphia 76ers
<table><thead><tr><th>Charlotte won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 11, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Hornets 106, Philadelphia 76ers 84</td></tr><tr><td>First Union Center, Philadelphia</td></tr><tr><td>January 20, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 100, Charlotte Hornets 109</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina</td></tr><tr><td>February 15, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Hornets 95, Philadelphia 76ers 93</td></tr><tr><td>First Union Center, Philadelphia</td></tr><tr><td>March 20, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 102, Charlotte Hornets 96</td></tr><tr><td>Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the 76ers and the Charlotte Hornets.
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Sacramento Kings
• Shaquille O'Neal scores playoff career-high 46 points in Game One. • Kobe Bryant scores playoff career-high 32 points in Game Two. • Bryant scores a new career-high 35 points in Game Three.
<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 8, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 91, Sacramento Kings 103</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr><tr><td>March 12, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 106, Los Angeles Lakers 109</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>March 26, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 90, Sacramento Kings 89</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr><tr><td>April 14, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 114, Los Angeles Lakers 121</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the eighth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning six of the first seven meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 6–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1949</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 2, Rochester Royals 0</td></tr><tr><td>1949 Western Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1951</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 1, Rochester Royals 3</td></tr><tr><td>1951 Western Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1952</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 3, Rochester Royals 1</td></tr><tr><td>1952 Western Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1954</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 1, Rochester Royals 0</td></tr><tr><td>1954 Western Division Round Robin Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1954</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 2, Rochester Royals 1</td></tr><tr><td>1954 Western Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1955</td></tr><tr><td>Minneapolis Lakers 2, Rochester Royals 1</td></tr><tr><td>1955 Western Division Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Kansas City Kings 0</td></tr><tr><td>1984 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(2) Utah Jazz vs. (7) Seattle SuperSonics
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 6, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 94, Seattle SuperSonics 99</td></tr><tr><td>KeyArena, Seattle</td></tr><tr><td>December 10, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics 83, Utah Jazz 101</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>February 1, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics 104, Utah Jazz 96</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>March 24, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 98, Seattle SuperSonics 95</td></tr><tr><td>KeyArena, Seattle</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the SuperSonics winning two of the first three meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Seattle leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics 1, Utah Jazz 4</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics 3, Utah Jazz 2</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics 4, Utah Jazz 3</td></tr><tr><td>1996 Western Conference Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(3) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 24, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 88, Minnesota Timberwolves 81</td></tr><tr><td>Target Center, Minneapolis</td></tr><tr><td>December 9, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Timberwolves 86, Portland Trail Blazers 90</td></tr><tr><td>Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon</td></tr><tr><td>January 6, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 96, Minnesota Timberwolves 98</td></tr><tr><td>Target Center, Minneapolis</td></tr><tr><td>March 16, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Timberwolves 96, Portland Trail Blazers 92</td></tr><tr><td>Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Timberwolves and the Trail Blazers.
(4) San Antonio Spurs vs. (5) Phoenix Suns
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 7, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 74, Phoenix Suns 77</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>December 21, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 90, San Antonio Spurs 91 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>Alamodome, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>January 7, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 102, Phoenix Suns 83</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>February 21, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 98, San Antonio Spurs 89</td></tr><tr><td>Alamodome, San Antonio</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning two series apiece.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 3, San Antonio Spurs 0</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 4, San Antonio Spurs 2</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 3</td></tr><tr><td>1996 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 3</td></tr><tr><td>1998 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
Conference semifinals
(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Philadelphia 76ers
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>January 22, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 97, Philadelphia 76ers 103</td></tr><tr><td>First Union Center, Philadelphia</td></tr><tr><td>February 7, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 84, Indiana Pacers 109</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>March 26, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 111, Indiana Pacers 101</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>April 17, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 92, Philadelphia 76ers 90</td></tr><tr><td>First Union Center, Philadelphia</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1981</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 0, Philadelphia 76ers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1981 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 4, Philadelphia 76ers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1999 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(2) Miami Heat vs. (3) New York Knicks
Patrick Ewing hits the series winning dunk with 1:21 remaining.
This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning two of the first three meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>New York leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1997</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 4, New York Knicks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 2, New York Knicks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1998 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 2, New York Knicks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1999 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Phoenix Suns
• Kobe Bryant hits the game-winner with 2.6 seconds left in Game 2.
<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles won 4–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 15, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 91, Phoenix Suns 82</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>December 29, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 87, Los Angeles Lakers 103</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>March 24, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 101, Los Angeles Lakers 109</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>April 4, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 84, Phoenix Suns 83</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning six of the first eight meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 6–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1970</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 3</td></tr><tr><td>1970 Western Division Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1980</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 1</td></tr><tr><td>1980 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 0</td></tr><tr><td>1982 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 2</td></tr><tr><td>1984 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Phoenix Suns 0</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Phoenix Suns 0</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 1, Phoenix Suns 4</td></tr><tr><td>1990 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 2, Phoenix Suns 3</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(2) Utah Jazz vs. (3) Portland Trail Blazers
• In Game 5, Scottie Pippen hits the series-winning 3 with 7.3 seconds left. Game 5 is Jeff Hornacek's final NBA game.
<table><thead><tr><th>Portland won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 9, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 87, Utah Jazz 92</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr><tr><td>January 27, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 75, Portland Trail Blazers 85</td></tr><tr><td>Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon</td></tr><tr><td>February 27, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Utah Jazz 92, Portland Trail Blazers 101</td></tr><tr><td>Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon</td></tr><tr><td>April 10, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 90, Utah Jazz 86</td></tr><tr><td>Delta Center, Salt Lake City</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Trail Blazers winning three of the first five meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Portland leads 3–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1988</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 1, Utah Jazz 3</td></tr><tr><td>1988 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 4, Utah Jazz 1</td></tr><tr><td>1991 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 4, Utah Jazz 2</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 2, Utah Jazz 3</td></tr><tr><td>1996 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 4, Utah Jazz 2</td></tr><tr><td>1999 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>
Conference finals
(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (3) New York Knicks
• In Game 6, Reggie Miller scores 17 points in the 4th quarter to help the Pacers reach the NBA Finals. It was also Patrick Ewing's last Knicks game before being dealt to the Seattle Supersonics during the off-season.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 25, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 90, Indiana Pacers 101</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>February 19, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 73, New York Knicks 87</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr><tr><td>March 21, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 91, Indiana Pacers 95</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>April 10, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 81, New York Knicks 83</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning three of the first five meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>New York leads 3–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 1, New York Knicks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 3, New York Knicks 4</td></tr><tr><td>1994 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 4, New York Knicks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 4, New York Knicks 1</td></tr><tr><td>1998 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 2, New York Knicks 4</td></tr><tr><td>1999 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Portland Trail Blazers
• In Game 3, Arvydas Sabonis' potential game-tying shot was blocked by Kobe Bryant. • In Game 7, the Lakers overcame a 16-point deficit (71–55) and sealed the victory with Kobe Bryant delivering an alley-oop to Shaquille O'Neal.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 6, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 82, Portland Trail Blazers 97</td></tr><tr><td>Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon</td></tr><tr><td>December 3, 1999</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 80, Los Angeles Lakers 93</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>January 22, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Portland Trail Blazers 95, Los Angeles Lakers 91</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr><tr><td>February 29, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 90, Portland Trail Blazers 87</td></tr><tr><td>Rose Garden Arena, Portland, Oregon</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning six of the first eight meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 6–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1977</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 0, Portland Trail Blazers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1977 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Portland Trail Blazers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1983 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Portland Trail Blazers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Portland Trail Blazers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Portland Trail Blazers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1991 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 1, Portland Trail Blazers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Portland Trail Blazers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1997 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, Portland Trail Blazers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1998 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
NBA Finals: (W1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (E1) Indiana Pacers
2000 NBA playoffs
• In Game 4, Kobe Bryant came back from his injury from Game 2 and after his teammate, Shaquille O'Neal fouled out of the game in OT, he took over the game. He followed in a missed shot by Brian Shaw with 5.9 seconds left to give the Lakers a 3-point lead, and after a potential game-winning three by Reggie Miller bounced off the rim, the Lakers took a 3–1 series lead. • Game 6 is Rik Smits final NBA game.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>January 14, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 102, Indiana Pacers 111</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>March 3, 2000</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 92, Los Angeles Lakers 107</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Pacers and the Lakers.
Statistical leaders
2000 NBA playoffs
<table><thead><tr><th>Category</th><th>Game high</th><th>Average</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Player</td><td>Team</td><td>High</td><td>Player</td><td>Team</td><td>Avg.</td><td>GP</td></tr><tr><td>Points</td><td>Karl Malone</td><td>Utah Jazz</td><td>50</td><td>Shaquille O'Neal</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>30.7</td><td>23</td></tr><tr><td>Rebounds</td><td>Shaquille O'Neal</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>24</td><td>Shaquille O'Neal</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>15.4</td><td>23</td></tr><tr><td>Assists</td><td>Jason Kidd</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>16</td><td>John Stockton</td><td>Utah Jazz</td><td>10.3</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>Steals</td><td>Scottie Pippen Gary Payton</td><td>Portland Trail Blazers Seattle SuperSonics</td><td>6</td><td>Eddie Jones</td><td>Charlotte Hornets</td><td>2.5</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Blocks</td><td>Alonzo Mourning</td><td>Miami Heat</td><td>9</td><td>Alonzo Mourning</td><td>Miami Heat</td><td>3.3</td><td>10</td></tr></tbody></table>