Knicks x Pacers 2000 ECF Game 6

the Indiana Pacers have been here before but for previous trips to the Conference Finals have gone unfulfilled [Applause] [Music] [Applause] New York's dream was Indiana's nightmare tonight the chance for redemption and that elusive conflict sperm out west the Los Angeles Lakers look well on their way to bring in so time back to the NBA's brand stage [Applause] but someone forgot to give Portland the script tonight they can force the decisive game seven if they can find a way to defend their home court [Music] this is the NBA on NBC [Music] [Music] tonight it's the Indiana Pacers versus the New York Knicks Madison Square Garden in New York for Game six of the Eastern Conference Finals Reggie Miller is summer through four failures in the Conference Finals his heroics against New York now seen ancient history will this be his night of redemption or for Patrick doing that future hall-of-famer who's battled back from injury only to hear speculation and the Knicks are better without it he's here at Tina victory tonight which would force a deciding Game seven but New York native and former Nick Mark Jackson has other ideas he's planning a Pacers dance on the garden war tonight Madison Square Garden is sold out for the 347 consecutive time as we come to game 6 of the Eastern Conference final cut off 1 welcome to the garden Tom Hammond with Steve Stanford Jones and Bill Walton we are ready for game 6 and the Indiana Pacers with a win could make their first ever trip to the NBA Finals but Steve Indiana has lost here at the garden five consecutive times dating back to the playoffs last season for them to win on the road it would take a Reggie Miller explosion but I'd would Tom you know they've hits their fortunes - Reggie Miller and it's time for Reggie Miller to really get rid of the demon here at Madison Square Garden want to blow up that dreams and what he's got to do is find Miller time what we've had here oblate has been just Miller moments at one time in this playoff series regular was the most feared player in the arena and now it's just faradic and if Miller can find Miller time just one more time they're on their way to the NBA Finals well Jeff Van Gundy says Game six is all about attitude in Game five the Knicks after blowing an 18 point lead had a floor that hangdog attitude their defense just went away from Tom even though basketball is the ultimate transition game there must be a starting point and with the next perimeter defenders having an absolutely awful game five New York had no chance to win Mark Jackson was recovering from a terrible set of games in New York he posted up all night long and a surging Travis best had his way beating anyone and everyone off the dribble Travis best also had six rebounds all season long some ignored repeated warnings about standing too close to the fire but with the Pens Olmec swings that characterize this New York Knick team that lends a lot of credence to Patrick hearings boastful guarantees the victory well the home team has won every game between these two teams this season who wins tonight Knicks big Madison Square Garden in today's league is by far the biggest and best home court advantage do you agree I don't agree because you know if they're going to give today an offensive explosion from the Indiana Pacers the Pacers are free and loose they're all found in their chest and it says now is their time what a surprise these two guys disagree you know the Indiana Pacers on three previous occasions have been within one victory of making the NBA Finals and they failed all three times prior to tonight in a moment we'll send it ahead a storm in our NBA show time studio and we're standing by for Game six the Knicks and the Pacers at Madison Square Garden here is the line up for the Indiana Pacers for Game six nativist Rose Smits Jackson and Miller that line up never waivers for New York Johnsons Sprewell in Ewing all hurting with injuries but in the lineup with Ward and Houston Houston has a bit of a sore ankle but the Knicks know how to play hurts as they have shown us time and time again just really huge game for New York did not play well since the foot was broken Allan Houston has to have a lot of early touches as does this young man Larry Johnson well for the Indiana Pacers let's see if they start this ball game the way they ended it with a pretty good defensive attitude turnover against New York Joe Crawford Don Vaden bennett salvator the officials for tonight's game Larry Bird Jeff Van Gundy the opposing coaches in Game six and Indiana win puts them in the finals New York win forces a game seven Sunday in Indiana here's a steal Charlie Ward Sprewell the Knicks lead to forced turnovers with their Eastern Conference best defense we need to take those turnovers capitalized and get it to Sprewell in the open court nice pass Johnson jumped out on Miller who had lost Houston on a screen they get it inside of the shot no good and then Smits takes it away from Ewing here real good job of parking thing tuck was going out of bounds and threw it right back Mark Jackson makes him face and an open look at a 3 and Mark Jackson knocks it down the former nick has Indiana on top by one well the key for the Indiana Pacers who are so perimeter is to see those outside shots going early in the ballgame wild shot but Ewing tries to save and cannot [Applause] Patrick Ewing playing the defense here pokes this ball away and then quickly gives it up to Charlie Ward he Sprint's out by him taking one lane that forces the defense to always give recognition to Patrick Ewing Smits with a running start James 1 home as the defense forgot about Smits who has been either feast or famine for him 21 first half points and then he comes back with 0 points in game 5 two nights ago Patrick Ewing answers for New York amazing how more and more teams don't try to exploit Patrick Ewing's lack of lateral mobility he leaves the injuries have really limited the network department Alonzo Mourning did a decent job of it Spitz has been quiet Wow Smits played like a guy 7 4 that time he played with some authority Miller misses his first shot Sprewell the long rebound three on three break Sprewell pull-up 15 footer I'd get him the ball looks pretty sharp early well Sprewell had to be a guy to look in the mirror I mean he was saying a lot of things but he just played out of his control in game 5 in Indiana and he was much sharper and more poised and collected right now he was four for 14 in game 5 he is playing with a broken bone in his foot let's not forget that to the shoot Jackson v 3 and New York has it Knicks are running is a very good sign for Jeff Van Gundy that's what he wants him to do time and time again Larry Johnson misses the three easy rebound for six [Music] is so good in Game four not going to be Deb that perfect here tonight Reggie Miller and one has he got a Stephan Houston it laid it in Allen commits the foul first foul of the game Larry Bird wouldn't love to see Reggie Miller do this more put his head down and get to the hoop that'll give you a trip to the foul line incidental contact with Larry Bird who knows better than anyone in this building about what it takes to get to that Champions round who knows if domination of the basket area Miller completes the three-point play and Indiana as an 86 lead now one thing you cannot do and survive is the let [Applause] and set the offense and Reggie Miller was trying to front Allan Houston a perfect lob pass a no backside defensive help easy bucket pre useful over the last time you saw Alan Houston dunk [Applause] not often I think it's a big game [Applause] [Music] [Applause] with all on the low post has to flash back out this game and this is the free watch the shot clock out about a lot of wild shots clearly for both teams but with Alan Houston getting fronted by Reggie Miller he does the right thing by stepping away from the basket to create some space in the weak side way too late for Larry Bird's rotating defense again but watch the defensive pressure of Mark Johnson he's allowing Charlie would just come down and go where he wants foul Richmond Nets coming to help out is Ward using a screen gun to the rim and Smits commits his first now you don't get penetration if the guy is pressuring you he comes over he's able to weave his way down the lane Smits is there too late and they can't afford Smits to get early fouls in this ballgame if Smits with Lube is nice pass by Sprewell pretty well as Indiana played the pick-and-roll that leaving Ewing open and New York is hit five of his first seven shots and played the picking will write tonight of the on defense [Applause] with Charlie Ward is trying to do get to mark Gasson earlier and so he can't do this pound pound pound and beat him off the dribble he finds Jalen Rose corner is good as the shot clock expires danandroz with his first button in the end desperately needs jaded rose to get off to a big start tonight he's been so quiet and time and time again in the first quarter freely until the game is very closing morning play well off now a slap pat by during was six early points a couple of nice jumpers moving without the ball working hard in the offensive glass everything in the system now for Jeff Van Gundy [Applause] chasing off a couple of screen back to Dale Davis picks up by Ewing Julie gave him a pretty good set of would have seemed to just help the Davisville and I gave him the perfect limp Pacers by one in the New York timeouts it comes with 659 remaining in the opening quarter a close game was seven lead changes already for the Indiana Pacers balls movement is important and they're great forever team and they seem to be able to get all of their three-point shooters gone early but was Hendrick Ewing crashing the offensive glass that hits right there and Dale Davis gets a shot from Ewing and puts it in to give Indiana [Music] Indiana of 13 12 hot shooting by both teams Indiana's hit 5 of 9 56 % New York 6 of 10 60% shooting for the Knicks who have outscored the patients for nothing on fast-break points and get Ewing off the great start he's in 3 or 4 and has three boards nice pass by Johnson you wouldn't stick a fork in it the Indiana Pacers are a great deep shooting team and they a game for with their perimeter play and they've got the Nick reacting right now beautiful passing Smits can't finish but New York foul has Jackson got it to Smiths within four feet of the basket as they move the ball to good advantage this has been the best combined stretch for both teams throughout the series knowing the gravity of the moment here as we get closer and closer to the end both teams are sharpening their games Rick's myths log onto msnbcsports.com and click on showtime online as Bill Walton breaks down the second half of tonight's doubleheader game 6 between the Lakers and blazers plus check out commentary from Steve Jones in the Western Conference Finals and analysis from Isaiah Thomas Matt gugus and Peter Vesey on the hottest playoff topics that's NS NBC sports.com official website of NBC sport you know Rick Smith's got a couple but during their free throw timeout the Indiana Pacers all very angry a that they didn't get the simple play to work for them and that's the most anger that they displayed in their ball games here at the Garden Houston so the Pacers showing a little passion tonight which is something missing from their play in games 3 & 4 losses you have to go this is not a lot of heart and tonight a lot of fire you know the fronting defense you might throw that out the window remember Reggie Villa trotted on Houston that time Houston what does Jeff Van Gundy say in our pregame reading will somebody please barge somebody out there let's see he could play some defense David rose did a great job of it right there free well missed nearly back tapped for the fake above the Pacers Jackson Webster and by Dale Davis trailing the play Mark Jackson with a brilliant assist to Davis well Van Gundy's nightmare coming true in that they have fallen in love with their offensive energy and they haven't been able to get to the Indiana Pacers particularly at the point with Mark Jackson but Jackson is controlling the flow these guys is getting the assist setting guys up swing cast free well open threes [Applause] needs more touches you can't be the guy who handles it only at the end of a broken scramble play that stops an eight nothing the Indiana run Pacers have the ball up for Rose shoots over Sprewell and the rebound to Larry when you see rich Smith go flying by he's going to be trying to rebound the ball tonight which is not his strength Houston now that Houston [Applause] coming off a 25-point performance in game 5 has for tonight Houston only victory played better than goodness beingness game 5 but with Ewing counting up and down the floor and now that's creating fast break opportunities for his teammates skip pass a three parter no good bye and Charlie Ward teaches the other way yeah they having guests in the game is Larry Jackson they find him on the break when New York pushes the ball they've been at their best and they tied it at 19 timeout if this is the kind of game Larry Johnson he's at his best he's coming off a ninth-grader game where he just had four points with four Larry Johnson to finally erupted tonight the NBA on NBC the Empire State Building on an early June night in the Big Apple with the score tied at 19 let's check in with Jim Gray Jim all right thank you very much Tom well here in New York the debate continues are the Knicks better off or better with Patrick Ewing before the game we spoke to Jeff Van Gundy he told us he's very upset that this question still lingers if we lose a series it's Patrick's fault and if we win the series it's everybody else and and it had nothing to do with Patrick so in this case Patrick can't win except to win and move on and that's that's how it is I feel I feel badly for him I feel badly got a guy he's given so much and been the best Nick that ever played because he's not the most popular than it is now being taken to task I feel I feel badly thing but it doesn't change my mindset you have a better chance with him than you got it but the rest of the Knicks have to realize I'll continue his scorching performance is that when Patrick Ewing is out there that can't just look to him they can't defer to a man to keep playing their game and let him play more of a specialized role as a rebounder as a defensive player a shot blocker an igniter of the fast-break and at that time as a passer well before they lost that game in Indiana they were all saying that they were better without with Patrick Ewing they lose it and they all look for a scapegoat here he is part of his team got a shot glass he beat the shot clock in fact the shot clock goes off as the ball Nestle's through the net Mark Jackson the second time tonight he's hit a bucket up against the clock the most surprising comment was by Latrell Sprewell he today was echoing those sentiments and Sprewell has always been Patrick Ewing's biggest supporter there's Ewing drawing the foul as Rik Smits hacked him on the arm for his second personal and he'll be replaced by Sam Perkins let's go back to Jim thanks time well what Sprewell said was that we definitely can't say we're better without him but the numbers definitely indicate that we are Jeff Van Gundy was very disappointed that but Jeff Van Gundy said one thing that I thought was really telling to all three of us earlier today he said you got Camby you got Thomas or you got Ewing he says there's no coach in the NBA who wouldn't pick Patrick Ewing Tom Houston Chakan got a - Jalen Rose abyss Dale Davis as foul as he gets the offensive [Applause] Indiana Pacers are energized and it's packing and the crowd here and not happy with the call from Joey Crawford but the Pacers perimeter guys Jackson Miller and Jalen Rose were all into a rhythm tonight in Charlie Ward picking up his second foul that's going to bring Marcus Camby they're going to go with a big lineup here move Sprewell to the backboard if the Knicks are going to win this game they still have to have that force from the backcourt they've got to be aggressive on the ball and when they rebound it they got a run to floor and this will stop the Mark Jackson posting up because he's being checked by the trust three well now here's Jalen Rose the tough matchup for Larry Jackson and we will see if Rose decide to get to the rim doesn't want to be the primary ball handler merely is so hot let somebody else like you Larry Johnson create we will be a finisher nice wave at the left hand Mary couldn't finish it and here's hit only two of seven to open the game nice ass though one for Dale Davis from Jalen Rose I thought Larry Bird said his team wasn't quick enough they got a lot of juice in their steps tonight and Dale Davis for the second time is on the finishing end of the break and this is a great lead pass and all the defense of the Knicks can do is react Marcus Canby with his first foul as Davis has a chance for a three-point play one of the unsung heroes for the Indiana Pacers Dale Davis who does all the little things all the dirty work and have been by far Larry Bird's best frontcourt performer in a series where he's seen a lot of his frontcourt completely disappear from major major stretches foul on Reggie Miller [Applause] only down five points what they can't do is panic they've been getting some very good scoring chances they got to continue to move the ball move their bodies around a little bit quicker whenever they stand and hold that's when they get themselves in trouble Miller out Derrick McKeon that he had nine REE five in limited playing time table I've made some beautiful passes as well didn't score but this is a guy who made a lot of intangible contributions in poor Larry Bird steel Jackson and you can see that steel coming a mile away Allen he's belated out there Jackson was on this threat night play have you ever seen Mark Jackson quicker you know he said tonight was a garden party going for the Indiana Pacers and Davis wants to shoot it make you got away from Patrick it's called for the offensive foul anytime you see a player hold it and hold it and shake it you know he's not going to pass it in and he's got seven points early so he's feeling pretty good and and you know Ewing's way off of them this is an easy play for the officials to call where where Marcus can be speed the question of the day which was the Reggie Miller and Larry in front of the Pacer bench now that he has been taken roll to Johnson what the Knicks have and they haven't had to do very captain on his own to DeShields is listed and Dale Davis another rebound they all second he's been double figure rebounds almost every day [Music] Derrick McKey found by Sprewell Derrick McKey is going to make that kind of strong aggressive move to the hoops of something that's every one of his coaches have always begged him to do what's the player like Latrell Sprewell to do Derrick McKey is 610 yeah but he wasn't looking to score I think Latrell has to make him shoot the ball first before he gets overly concerned with his ability to penetrate and make a play for somebody else McKee at the line Larry Johnson out of the ball game Chris child's replaces LJ and Austin Crozier makes his first appearance in the Indiana Linna Monday night on NBC two great dramas are back-to-back at 9/8 central a special Monday law-and-order bottled by Third Watch at 10/9 central a drama doubleheader tomorrow night on NBC the drama is quickly going out we'll be into a fix as we talked at the outset about them the defense and how it's breaking down control the entire flow playing the quarter here everyone is running and moving Jalen Rose Reggie Miller Derrick Jackie delivers out of this been delivered yusin's six points nice screen set by Camby now hooking on the right thing by coming down the floor trying to attack Mark Jackson so they can't let him just get down and set things up but the paces are cooked to meet the ball tonight Crozier passed up that easier side and then missed a tough one a fall away the child's four rebounds for Patrick what does Austin closure doing freeway when free while is on this kind of roll you got to make sure that he keeps feeding him the ball and keep him in that eleven first quarter points for surah 5 of 7 shooting now with a more typical point guard Chris child's in there Sprewell the net to handle Larry Johnson arc event getting a much deserved rest final seconds of the first quarter Perkins for great rebound kicks hi every which way it'll be a loose ball foul New York [Applause] well Houston pushes McKee out of the way and picks up his second personal but the Knicks find the red-hot Sprewell down on the baseline and when he's got it going he's a very difficult guy to cover and didn't Road gamble trying to get you the ball why would you shoot the gap there the guy's so hot basically he had the trail emeritus state in his footwork as much as possible they steal what it's called he was shooting the gap to get the steal but in a game like this you eat absolute discipline at every moment here's Travis best on the floor from the Pacers the hero of game 5 when he had a career playoff high 24 points Allan Houston goes out for New York and Charlie Ward returns as they get small in the back for 24 straight free throws in fact Indiana 8 for 8 at the free-throw line New York has not sought a free throw Indiana is believes best free throw team they're the ones who are attacking the rim while the Knicks were settling for perimeter jumpers on a man that usually has little to say beating that gum to death and yelling instructions and that's Larry Bird I mean he really is into this game and I think he feels this is their best chance to get to the finals tonight they don't want to get to a game 7 at all one second left at the buzzer to end the first quarter and for Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers coming out with enthusiasm and aggression tonight the fact that they amount sport their opponent is a good omen as they live to close it out in the East at the end of the first quarter Indiana 30 and 10 or 25 you're watching the NBA playoffs on NBC [Music] start the second quarter in game six with Indiana up five on New York Reggie Miller of course looking for the big game and he's tormented the Knicks in the playoffs 1994 at the Garden he scored 25 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter delete Indiana to a dramatic come-from-behind victory the following year he scored eight points in the final 16 seconds as the Pacers stun the Knicks with a game one victory and route to their series wins then two years ago in Game four his three-pointer in the closing seconds kept the Knicks from tying the series as Indiana won the game in overtime then wrapped up the series in the next game and Reggie Miller one of the six free agents on this Indiana team so it could possibly be his last game as a pacer at the Garden and remember this is a team he wanted to play they got him and he's got to step up and play the like it's Miller time the entire did not sign with he just turned the ball over when I did turn it over I guess scored five points so far in the game and we heard Donnie Wallace tell Jim Gray and Indianapolis of Game five that the first residing priority is Dana Rose here's Chris child's with penetration and his first bucket the Knicks definitely need a spark right now but Larry Johnson and Charlie Ward not having sharp games the office being carried by Houston Sprewell and Patrick Ewing guys like can be child's they really have to make something happen for rainbow it is only a three-point game McKee Kurt Thomas got a piece on the Thomas without there can be child Sprewell injunction remember child guarantee this bad boy it was going fat Indiana and he's come out with a more aggressive attitude three while missing that patented jump back jump shot not what they used to be I heard that before they have Perkins back Thomas down and the short left-handed hook is his first basket and he said he's retiring at the end of the year he's one of the free agents the Brooklyn native maybe playing his last garden party Sammy Sam good luck you know he changes in time from game to game like someone else if that jump hook keeps going energy you know you'll be saying I feel putting out numbers for childs if he pushes it hurt Thomas the trailer [Applause] because he does indeed push the ball right to the RAM but maybe that's not Sparkman you say New York needed well Chris Giles in the seventh game at Miami that was absolutely the difference for New York that is the strength of this Nick team you never know who's going to beat you they can all come at you from so many different ways some days it would be Charlie Ward's on other days Chris child's Marcus Camby what Jeff Van Gundy says is he'd like to see his point guard clouds and ward and a good game on the same night well that would be true in the way that they have to do it is they both have to be aggressive and assertive Tyler Ward started off that way in the games in which the Knicks have lost Chris child's had been tentative and passive and it's hurt him so I think he understands that he's got to be aggressive if he is going to fulfill that promise of getting James's child's hits the free throws the first two of the game for New York and then promptly commits a backcourt foul on Travis best and a lunacies up there putting something some efforts of energy trying to dictate the tempo well I mean if you come down to floor and guards both Jackson and vest you slow them up you make them pick the ball up further they don't get into their offenses early and Travis best has a tougher time scoring the ball Giles on the floor trying to get it away from best now double teaming perfect and big move for the second time the left-handed hook and then the southpaw has four points will be 39 in just a few days straight down on the sky beautiful Pass Christian docile as an angel the past right brain needed to be indicated with a red now the diction start to place a ball whoa that was a quick move by Travis bet bought the Chris Kyle totally by surprise Niles commits the foul as we take a break number two on Chris welcome back to Madison Square Garden where just a few moments ago Jeff Van Gundy had this to say to his team we've talked about it at the first timeout right and it's important that you're able to adjust your intensity level during the game it's not good enough right now on defense and those adjustments to try to keep Travis best now try to keep mark Jackson who was dominant put a lot of pressure on now Chris child's early on in Charlie Ward never got away from three well and made him pay as Miller knocked down his seventh point of the first half three well has not been used to chasing Reggie Miller around as much as down in Houston and not fighting his way through those picks as well he and he gave way to bathroom that's what hurts his foot the most he says that lateral movement and pushing off is what really gives in pain this child's though providing some offense off the New York bench he adds half a dozen points Indiana by three [Applause] hehe needs to get on the strong hand which is a left-hander of Travis Benson make him go to his right and a lot of times he place it's desperate move to the left get to the burned as it did the last time down can't be rebound to Perkins miss New York small they're down three Jambi not a factor at all in Game five after being huge in Game four the first one back after the knee injury here he is shooting a bad looking shot off the top of the backboard almost hit the corner and now Travis best has it for Indiana now Thomas did a good job of fighting around of front Sam Perkins and should not run plays just let him get scrambled plays three seconds violation we'll turn it back to New York bringing our town bill got a new rules book today so you've got that thing down and we're up on everything tonight my favorite one is rule 2 section 3 the elastic powers of the official but they could do whatever they want that means they could throw you the trails free well penetrates fines LJ who fumbled the pass now recovery trying to pull away an acute supplies and against McKee and this was shot closure battling with can be in Austin wins that battle those shots were going for Larry Johnson early and right now they're not but he's got to keep trying to get that deep guarding Travis pest now that's a chore especially with best play with confidence that he garnered with his career playoff high 24 points in the last game ever the guidance is clever with the ball as best but who has a tendency to pounded if he gets confused you want to make him start to in weakness and which is that right hand don't let him play with it and finally figure out where he wants and you get seated cooking stick create Kurt Thomas committing that New York pal here's Austin frozen and a rebound Sprewell he's not Thomas Mann he gets him the ball and then Thomas lost it but luckily for the Knicks LJ was standing in the right spot the blue rug takes a timeout Jeff Van Gundy is disappointed in the way the team is executing their transition opportunities and they trail Indiana by three in Game six separation at this level so close to the championship the finals comes from your superstars with Latrell Sprewell mentality who didn't see into those guys for the New York Knicks Sprewell was out early he had five for a shooting of 11 points in the first quarter alone Allan Houston was posting up Reggie Miller getting lobs over to top the jumpers from the perimeter were going for his free will and used it as well but with Latrell Sprewell cooling down and measurably he was old for one here zero points in the second quarter we have a report from our Jim Gray all right thank you Bill I spoke to Latrell before the game he told me his foot as may be feeling a little bit worse than it was Wednesday night in Indiana he refuses to take any painkillers won't put any padding he says it's very painful he says I'm going to play not complain we asked Jeff Van Gundy about it he told us I know he's hurting it's whatever you can give us is what he told with gel don't be down in front all right Jim thank you very much as Larry Johnson mrs. Larry Johnson who seemed to be guest a little tentative about when to pull the trigger and he's got to be more aggressive and looking for he shot the shot selection has been questionable though maybe the injuries have finally caught up to Larry Johnson to back the broken bone in his foot the plantar fasciitis remembering I thought was he's you know 2,000 years old and John but at some point the body does not respond to the mental commands I don't think he's reached that point yet I think that you know the bigness of the moment the fact that he's had a couple of very good games sometimes he feels that he has to do a little bit more and if he just does what he can do and makes quick earlier decisions offensively he'll be fine we're going to hear from Larry Johnson it's amazing that he hasn't got anything in the mixer holding down three neither team explored and about minutes Chris trial since coming in has been a big part of the Allan Houston outside shot Houston has and the Knicks are within one this also need Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas to make some sort of statistical contribution here Miller quick shot nobody shoots quicker and then are on target again how you defend that he has nine points so I don't how frustrating is that for a good defense and Houston was lighted display screen law has been their time and again and education quick to top well you just got to come back and stick it on him and you cannot let Reggie Miller get the upper hand and think that he's gonna dominate throughout got it making guard the other way Merc is leading the bridge Thomas with that Miss for New York RNG Miller has hit four of his five shots which pass Reggie Perkins Colares to Mayo Davis the time that a momentary sphere and Thomas when a good soul brings a child to life here miss mckinny not about to Indiana Samson once that one fashioned can't get any closer and better position that he had put it off the back iron and the frustration let me go get that ball Larry he's gonna get with you Larry's only two of eight four four and you can't jump in the can't move you think about it trying to use quickness on the defense lost in that time Thomas tried to jump out and help too late Andros has seven but the big mid for Indiana are sending very effective screen Dale Davis time and time again Sam Perkins freeing up the shooter you're a team game right now they laid by five you've been trying to keep composure on Miller miss that time and shooting for New York has been woeful Perkins low post against Thomas [Applause] reporter hit the sign Davis again back to those he does not miss Jalen Rose down with nine points that one hit the side of the backboard and should have gone the other way good save 20-second timeout in New York Dale Davis with five rebounds three of them offensive not this one and gave it back to Jalen Rose the side of the backboard is in though this was the previous play with Jalen Rose moving off and then with Dale Davis so quick remember it was beamed six against the Miami Heat but the Knicks played one of their worst half to the season were down big and came back in one Indiana has tied its biggest lead of this first half they're up by seven and of course great night for basketball fans because coming up next that crucial Game six in the West sack of the Lakers taking on Scottie and the Blazers that another Game six this one in the West coming up next here on NBC [Music] where are the Knicks going to go for offense right now what struggling they're stagnant Sprewell after the blistering start got to get that ball and put his head down get to the hole maybe the free-throw line that batter GABA scoring the ball and you know they've just got to make sure that they rebound the other way to get a bow against and child Houston Sprewell will be the primary offense and forth and the other two guys are gonna have to play off there but the Pacer defense very solid tonight playing big standing tall shoulders back denying penetration so with that this is the military New York is just scored one field goal in the last five minutes Thomas misses Patrick Ewing returns for New York and Larry Bird immediately gets Rick Smits off his bench as Perkins goes out and can be going out to New York if you're a Knick fan and there's a lot of them here in the building that have been quiet they have got to see the Knicks to be able to get to the Indiana Pacers earlier they're reacting to the passes the cutter and that put them on the trail and defensively the good things that came ready for blood tonight they've had nothing to cheer about Larry Burke said in game never heard the garden crowd so soft and thought he never would again he he may have again tonight at this continue the Pacers have put the Knick fans back in their seats Dale Davis once again off the offensive glass now they got a bad break that time because it was three Knicks around the ball and it could cost him best pitches over the fray and Smits over the back has his fur you know spits of the guy that can pick them up very quickly and if he's got three Larry Bird have to make a big decision so much just got back in the ball game you let them run for the final 349 but you'll watch him come over the top of Patrick Ewing Thomas out of the ball game can be back in pits out poseur back in and Mark Jackson is replaced Travis best at the point guard spot for the Pacers who lead it 42:36 with 3:45 in the first and six-point ball game and all that it's need to do is just maintain their composure offense remove the ball a little bit quicker that direction right there Thanks lines up shot comes up short Jackson and candy and finally Dale Davis here's Miller quickly and where the Knicks playing well for what spot on the floor all the shots on the left side is definitely clanging out now come out a collector cleaner Greenwell comes to the jumps top and then misses the shots well they're not able to get the drive right down everything is a jump shot against some sort of pressure but they've got to move the ball move themselves a little bit earlier so they can make that happen this was the story in game 5 Jackson in the post Chris trials the fact that Davis blocked by Ewing Davis and one Jaxson making it all happen here's a guy who grew up in Newark New York City I asked him about his postgame before the tonight's ballgame he said he learned it from his dad Harry who died a year to go also from his older brother Kevin then from watching the great Earl Monroe the former Nick the Hall of Famer Earl Monroe Dale Davis a three-point opportunity [Music] here in the East homecourt has meant everything the home team winning all nine meetings this season between the two while in the West here in the postseason in this Western Conference final series only one win for the home team if the Blazers hope to win they can only pray that the Lakers ignore Shaquille O'Neal the game's best player today and they're gonna have to get something out of that big guard lineup the Blazers have utilized very well and sabonis and flagrant have to deliver up front against Shaq Dale Davis missing New York 13% shooting in the game five and tonight 31% they haven't had a field goal three and a half minutes that's a terrific start and Marcus Camby just made up his mind he was throwing that one and looking in the direction of Jo joy crossword devale about at their best Reggie Miller gates but this sense of desperation that they're faced with now usually is a source of inspiration for Deewar greatest shoot Diller tough shot comes away [Applause] that's making guerrilla fight to get that ball and then Patrick Ewing and Pulaski Miller the last time get caught this time down first foul on Patrick Ewing and New York has gone 7 minutes with just one field goal they trail 44 36 with two minutes left in the half man Charlie Ward then tipped the ball away yes but Mark Johnston wore to the hoop fouled by Crozier been silent throughout the evening after being spectacular in Game three and for New York now makes couple of turnaround plays for the Knicks you know that's the best change of pace you ever made all about change of pace change the direction beautiful crossover girl [Applause] Charlie Ward ready for his second free throw free throws keeping New York within the shouting distance of the Pacers since they've gone cold from the floor which is the modus operandi of this New York team we've seen happen time and again well I mean that's all they want to do right now we stay in the ballgame date the patient's get a double-digit lead and become monster they feel very good about themselves in the way that they played the first half so it's up to you just try to stay in it and finally dent that confident majors are trying to get Jackson in the post but the Knicks scramble forcing him to the weak side now they're up against the clock Jackson with two to shoot is foul for the foul that was an off-balance shot that had very little chance to going in and instead Mark Jackson will step to the free-throw line after Charlie Ward commits his third well decision-making defensively is everything and when you gambled you can't come back and think that suddenly you're gonna make a block on someone who's moving forward with his momentum Charlie Ward a mistake now if Van Gundy's got a huge dilemma here that Charlie Ward with three fouls certainly don't want to put him in a jump ready for the second half so he comes back with Kurt Thomas to go to the big lineup he wasn't happy apparently with Chris child's taos was also in foul problems so you got those are those guys nicked up and he's gonna have to finish the first half with Sprewell in Houston in the backcourt at six and a half minutes by Alan Houston or that long jumper that sort of seemed to give them some life and all who suddenly they at nothing they that pulled over that one at the time now with 1:15 left in the half it's 4638 Sprewell bulk of the fake Sandra as Miller flipped for the ball fake by Latrell Sprewell and Reggie commits his second foul the more you're able to attack the other team's best offensive weapon the greater overall success you'll have and Sprewell just steps right underneath Reggie will now go to the bench replaced by Derrick McKey with a minute 12 remaining till halftime well Reggie hearing it from the crowd his favorite chant but two three well with this could make it a five point ballgame cousin it's still right there and they have not played that basketball they five minutes in between field goals closure ggressive boo got parole when I'm in time again mental breakdowns by the Knicks now they can't even get the ball inbounds not the point guard nobody comes back to help bring it up the court inside the final minute of the first half first half dominated by the patient kneeling against Davis turns baseline and misses badly that was one he should have made he just quick shot at he made that spinner was right there those are back out to Jackson who says let's settle down come to Jalen Rose right here give him some confidence it left out far too long for Indiana backing down on Houston [Applause] he'd like a touches he's like in a possession they're going to often Crozier Derrick McKey Reggie Miller this guy's got Dean Allen Rose is the top scorer for the Pacers with 11 yet six in the quarter so he you know he's been involved in the game yeah that's a second coming back to June and you ain't gonna kind of make the same move no distant quickly great defense Mark Jackson Davis picks it up off the floor three seconds to go Jackson from mid poor get the top of the backboard to bring the first man in the indiana pacers needing a victory to move to the NBA Finals for the first time in their history play an excellent first half holding New York to just one field goal the last six minutes and 20 seconds and they lead it 52-41 let's go to Jim Gray all right thank you very much time I'm here with Reggie Miller Reggie can you maintain your aggressiveness on offense throughout the second half office is not gonna win a force tonight we got to do it on the defensive end we know they're gonna make runs in the second half and yes our offense is kind of clicking right now but that's not gonna win the ballgame we got to do a good job of still making them catching out a little bit further what are you gonna do to prepare for that run because it has been a series of runs well it's all mental and you know they're gonna have a the crowd is going to get into it we just do a better job on the defensive end starting to get anxious about trying to close them out moving on to the final no we just got play solid we can't worry about that all right Reggie good luck in the second half all right time back over to you all right Jim and the Pacer defense has been excellent in that first half holding New York and that long drought they had in the second quarter at the end of the first quarter from Madison Square Garden in game six it's the Indiana Pacers 50 and the New York Knicks 41 Jim Gray back at Madison Square Garden as we get ready for the second half I spoke to Jeff Van Gundy he said he's very concerned about Dale Davis he has nine points ten rebounds six offensive rebounds he says we got to do something with this guy anybody's got to step up get him off the boards he's not concerned about their offense he's concerned about their defense as for Larry Bird he told his team take it to him now don't wait for them to make a run we're 24 minutes away from where we want to be Tom and Larry Bird hoping that he can transfer some of that special magic he had in the playoffs to his team he showed their heart in Game five by coming from a team down to win that decisive contest and now only 1/2 away from an Eastern Conference championship but who's going to play well for the New York Knicks they leave Dale Davis opens can't get the Rose Smith Rik Smits had the offensive board though rather than driving Van Gundy crazy is the fact that they cannot get a rebound at a critical time he should save that way you know they've got to be ready to rebound the ball and that's what been the big plate Latrell Sprewell back to Ewing viewing shot is on the mark it's Patrick Ewing now that he is to Latrell Sprewell Larry Johnson and Charlie Ward original starting five same for Indiana Mark Jackson Rik Smits Dale Davis Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose Miller open three no God the Pacers trying to get it done coming with their main reference it's early been Reggie Miller but this is the same kind of defensive tenacity the Knicks showed against Miami when they were down 15 in the head beeps it's here at the bar Indiana under control but they got to do it with pressure on the ball Smith leave it loose ball on the way the arms of Ewing third-quarter decisive playoff game the referee put the whistles away get to the hoop don't wait for that whistle to bail you out Larry Johnson whoa Ward number 11 competences is so fragile we have seen the egg break for Larry Johnson in games five and says he's not been nearly as addressed the success he said this heard of NASA's fly he only came to help and blocked it and on the Indiana's ball was six to shoot well with Larry Johnson going to four nine throughout the game Charlie Ward only has two points and those are from the free-throw line Marcus Canby hasn't scored Kurt Thomas has long putting a lot of pressure on the rest of the guys yeah but they can't feel tired for themselves they gotta fight through they got to stay with the guys that he's doing a form and try to figure out a way to get involved three well a nice smooth ball fake that Jalen Rose to commit that he stepped unders and delivered and a 20-second timeout taken by the pitcher we'll be right back to the garden [Applause] [Music] mix close within 5 with 1002 on the clock third quarter Rik Smits continues for the second straight game to struggle yes Missy is forcing things in you know he's putting some extra pressure on himself and he's just got to find a way to let the game come to him crowd trying to come to life yet to score in the [Applause] that last one over 18 minutes Smits get pass to Jackson Rose for three the ball movement no pea Sprewell pull-up he will not say a thing about that quit tonight because everything is working for this is what kills Larry Bird get the ball and stick it in the basket by themselves with the knick Pikachu typing up now but it helps when assume such the stand and understand the perimeter Thank You milord silences the crowd Reggie Miller against the first third quarter field goal for the Pacers he has 11 points the lead back to five weeks trying to get Larry Johnson involved here memory Wells had the while shot and again with 20 points he's moving at a different pace than everyone else is giving the ball and get out of his way to score the last six million points speaking of case the pace at which the patient's are moving at that is really slow shortfall Galen is missing but Smith over the back committing a loose ball Warren with Latrell Sprewell doing everything transition everybody backpedaling backpedaling pull up and pull the trigger moving without the ball curling over the top snitch Dale Davis too late the kind roll full of trial Sprewell and insid Larry got from the side of the floor trying to go pick and roll with Kali ward nice pass [Applause] [Music] pastor Patrick Ewing who has a three-point opportunity Henrik Smits has picked up his fifth power I would rather play against Patrick Ewing we're very similar we've seen those similarities this evening and he had different reacting to everything Ewing claims below the rim and the crowd beginning to sense they might get back in this game about this Nick team though this thing looks so bad in the first half the totally outplayed and then think turn it on right when they have to have it we've seen it happen time and again they tied the game at 52 after the three-point play by Ewing Sam Perkins replaces Chris to run to start the third Larry Johnson pushes a tough shot by Dale Davis such a dangerous style too close to the line now there the foot blue gave on him a little bit he's fine Charlie Ward saved it then tried to pass as he penetrated not kind of bounds by Indiana now it's free well looks to me in pain well his foot buckled when he planted and that's what he's uh wincing about right there really buckled an attorney took an off-balance shot but he's going to fight through this 11 on the clock for Alan Houston Houston takes Miller pistol shot rebounded by Davis 12 rebounds for Dale Davis we are five of nine [Applause] defense at the Nixon no four Sam Perkins can't deliver Davis saving it what was on the baseline [Applause] a textbook for rebounding tenacity he has stayed after it and he has been the only rebounder remember rich myth also told us before Game five I got a do a better job mouths and it already demonstrated himself out of the game by jumping over the Knicks backs tonight the painters won the team rebound battle of the first draft turnover Latrell Sprewell to the hands of Reggie Miller who anticipated the pass and jumped into the passing lane Miller off-balance shot no good gearing up for the rebound here's a long outlet pass and lore can't chase it down [Applause] New York turns it over Pacers will have the ball when we return we're tied at 52 in game sense the NBA playoffs mm game six Eastern Conference Finals 658 to go third quarter were tied at 52 New York on an 11-2 run to start the quarter all 11 by Sprewell and Ewing's the Knicks have come alive here behind me electric play of Latrell Sprewell got the Pacer defenders really standing back flat-footed the penetration that dish to Ewing a slice off this down screen by Ewing and the Charlie Ward who has even taken his shot tonight draws two defenders and that frees up Patrick Ewing for three-point play and Citrix pitched to the bench well you know didn't win the game tonight Ewing on the floor that will silence all of that better without Patrick Ewing because this is an elimination game it's trying to find Miller but what Indiana has done is becomes just a perimeter scene with nobody cutting through the ring - you can't hit it good rebound by elves Charlie Ward here could've led you governor we've got a short guy you gotta take it to the hoop you can't take it out for a three-pointer he's guarded by our Houston he's Magana Patrick being this is the first cold he's played against the Patriots in the playoffs the last few years three distinct and we've been missing the first half and did nothing to pelts the speculation about the Knicks better or worse with Patrick you there's Reggie Miller and look like he was going to continue off the break came to a quick stop at the three-point line and knocked it down es 14 and you've got all of their points here in the second half of play you get a foul against Mark Jackson when Reggie Miller is coming at you like this that's when he's most dangerous pulls up get to put behind the line to make sure he's got the three a much needed score for the Indiana Pacers three were in the basket to shoot two after the foul it's didn't get to the line much of the first half just took seven free-throws making six while the Pacers took 11 free-throws Latrell Sprewell right now is playing like one of the great athletes of all time the way Pele used to play in soccer well you couldn't keep your eyes off is Joe Montana in football kayla screen well missing you got any tennis players on that little because Connors John McEnroe and the French opens been an upset city in Paris so far but American Venus Williams still leading the championship to charge she takes to the court keeps her hopes of winning her first Grand Slam title alive the French Open coverage begins tomorrow at 3:00 Eastern here on in [Applause] now you got a tough matchup so if you cherish a tough match for him and just got the better yet some foot problems do tell that to the close brijwa [Applause] those with a skip master Jackson 2 makes a nice catch to the shoot Mark Jackson once again beats the shot clock for the third time tonight well he doesn't want to shoot unless the clock is ticking out he has three field goals all three with a shot clock expiring with a ball in the air all right the next need to stay aggressive at the offensive end don't become a team to tuck holding the ball counting a huge fly [Applause] you've decided that and got back to a two-point game 14 competitive by hard-working Davis takes a lead offense exactly Charlie Ward doubling down stripped it from Rose his free well off generation against Miller puts it up no job Larry Johnson rebounds and travels jumped and came back down he made the mistake he thought he was going to be able to go right back up and stick it and was underneath the basket had nowhere to go the incredible electricity of Latrell Sprewell Larry Johnson just doesn't have the explosiveness in hearing that broken down body intimidated by the towering presence of Dale Davis and Sam perfect while he wasn't gonna come over the other side of the backboard to get too far names get him to post for Jackson even Charlie Ward Roy four plays that's a really low rebounded by us seven as long as Indiana maintained that attitude this is a perfect chance for the Knicks to take over the game Rose knock down Ewing against Davis no movement on the weak side and turnover once here's a three-on-two Indiana gray cable is is found by Charlie war fouls now on Charlie Wars critical time for Jeff Van Gundy but with the Knicks standing and watching Patrick Ewing hail day was able to poke it away because there's no passing angles Jalen Rose out in transition very little contact my child 40 well Holly what should have stood tall and he slid out of the way and that's why the call didn't go his way but was there any content demands on the floor going to fall down on their own the Rose not happy he pounds the ball into the floor having missed the free throw both had 11 [Applause] the long-distances announced to the hand of the New York Knicks and this cave Mark Jackson is playing the paces are not taken advantage of that four minutes to go third quarter [Applause] over the back loose ball foul Perkins had inside position you know it's time for larry johnson when you're trying to rebound from the back when the guy is as tall as you and his arm goes longer George Sam Perkins easy call for the official to make Blair and Johnson is the shortest power forward if only by far than you about six five got what jello base to be boil because it all the injuries a seven-point quarter so far for the Indiana Pacers back seven today that's being blocked it and then slapped it out of bounds you enchant a couple to those slack from Dale Davis from the rear he's also Vince Tamar couple times but this is a saving reaction because it looks like that's going to be a chore - how about dumping the boat Jackson again hit point passing rest of his teammates mark planned in his lab here he is on the post up against Charlie Ward Houston looks like he might come help that doesn't come all the way he's only sports you point to make him a score let's see if he can do what he did in the other games Rose another miss Perkins with a loose ball foul [Applause] darling we're gonna get a breather it looks like and [Applause] childs did a good job in the first half for New York at one stretch kept them in the game with his scoring and assists this is a strange quarter in debt only at Jonathan's event poor guys have gotten involved seven apiece previewing and Sprewell and two and five for Reggie Miller this child's has got three fouls Charlie Ward for [Music] this Sunday on NBC our coverage of the WNBA continues Theresa Weatherspoon in the Liberty taking on shamiqua holtzclaw and the Washington Mystics the WNBA on NBC Sunday Steve a couple games ago you were talking about the botanical skills of Larry Bird drafting law and his buddy Jalen Rose this third quarter for David Rosen or two or three all four to aunties and old forty from the free-throw line what is going on here he's little fertilizer he doesn't know much about the grafting trying to get the ball to Jackson sits on the clock down to two those babies didn't beat the shot clock that time 24-second violation gives it back to New York well remember we're Van Gundy said about body language the body languages Larry Bird's is not very good right now one-point game the NBA on NBC from the observation platform on the Empire State Building you can see Madison Square Garden where the Knicks and the Pacers are locked up in a one-point battle in Game six of the Eastern Conference Finals Indiana by one Hawks 2:46 [Music] Patrick Ewing laughs bye Jo Biggles nearly got it back though and threw the foul there's a time to to talk about the lots of Patrick Ewing's explosiveness there was a time he would jump light over Dale Davis and that is no more the point I made earlier Sam Perkins is at his best on the defensive end when he's guarding a bigger stronger guy that he too had Sam Perkins on Patrick Ewing he's one of the few guys Sanford and his older men Patrick Ewing still playing in this league but with Perkins guarding Ewing then Dale Davis would have a field day on the defensive back Gordon David knows to come in and healing has given New York the lead 58 57 their first lead since they were up 1211 here it has 16 points and nine rebounds yet this is a way to get after Mark Jackson so you prevent her from breaking it down if your offensive end took from just about 14 seconds you get the ball up and over but they're gonna shaft engine fires but Perkins not get out of bounds great defense by Alan Houston who's been relatively quiet tonight Alan but the defensive effort always there Houston has scored eight none in the second half only had two shots here in the second half you know you've got to get a chance to get a look at it but they've been going with the too hot hand viewing and Sprewell Travis best replaces Jackson for Indiana as Latrell Sprewell finds the range he leads an exploring parade with 23 nine of them in the corner would you play with that kind of bounce in your step this late in a series this late in the season that inspires everyone all of it on top of a broken foot pretty hard to have bouncing instead with a broken [Applause] block by Houston great recovery by Allan Houston to get a piece in the shop the other shot clock Pacers have got to come real quick who's going to inbound it but the Pacers have got to recover that aggressive mentality they have been staying out on the perimeter they got themselves in a deeper to that acute Miller beat the shot clock the kid is four and Petaquilla has the double-double that's his tenth rebound we couldn't even pressure Travis best out of balance he still got away with it three well for free good strong rebound by who else mr. Reid boards Fidel now child cannot give up his defensive attitude he's got to go after best use a lot quicker and trickier got by and that's a great hand screw elbow tipping it out of that 12 on the shot clock seven point by the Indiana Pacers after two very good quarters doing their version of self-destruct like the Knicks did in Indiana at second quarter next four days [Applause] [Music] batfish why not Travis he was best in game 5 though that gives them 9 and will keep them from I'll keep them above the knick number but they're under double figures in the quarter and really struggling to score has there ever been a team in Indian history had more left-handed players of the Indiana Pacers [Applause] you becomes the first player other than Sprewell are youing to score in this third quarter so usually three is a record they got four we got the fishbowl of the forgotten one over there Travis Beth was dancing with the ball and I think and he's gonna get the green light from Larry Bird the rest of the way try to make it happen credits for the point there's Mullin leaning back the five-time all-star The New Yorker also won a couple of gold medals on the u.s. silicic team itching to play but he plays the equivalent but two full games out here in the pregame warmup working so hard for hours on end nice chop Larry Johnson taken [Applause] no control got it in a quarter and decides the ballgame up once again the man is damaged the Knicks so many times hits a clutch three-pointer and in the final second to the third we are tied as a Travis best creating lots of offensive opportunities for hit for the patients and this is the common Allan Houston could pick this pot of how he wants to score going against the clock and Reggie Miller lights that turn to his left field goal Davis looked like he was above [Applause] tallest best misses from midcourt as the third quarter comes to an end New York outscored Indiana 21 to 12 in the third quarter thanks to Sprewell and Ewing we are tied at 62 we'll be back after these messages and a word from your local station you're watching the NBA on NBC Game six with our producer Kevin smullin director dozens honest Tom Hammond Bill Walton Steve natural Jones Jim Gray ready for quarter number four in game number six the Pacers with that 12 point low after in Game five the Knicks had an all time low eight points in their second quarter of Game five and this is the time that the veterans the Patrick Ewing's the Reggie Miller's make their presence known with the game and perhaps a title on the line Bure can't believe that wasn't called travel Houston back out to Sprewell for three well Patrick Ewing and Sprewell played the entire quarters they were the office of energy that got them back in the ball game we'll see how long they go foul Alan Houston Sprewell is not coming out of this game it could go five over times and he would still be out there Spray well [Applause] and the crowd exploding is he knocked in the 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter giving the Knicks a three-point lead his 26 point of the game Larry Bird gonna go with Jalen Rose on the bench who has yet to score in the first in the second half can be thought he got a clean block of Austin Crozier but instead Marcus has called for his second foul well what Larry boy what Larry Bird wants and didn't get from Gaylord and Rose is what he got from Austin Crozier on that play bring the ball to the basket don't get the a perimeter player trying to win the ballgame from you terrific drive by Austin closer though getting to the foul line and a guy who struggled 22 points in Game one since then 17 points combined he's an activity player much like Marcus Camby they left him open they paid more attention to him he's not been able to shake it loose but also poachers got a stroke when he has some moves with Martin Marcus Camby yet to develop those in his early part of his career Ewing is fouled with 11:01 on the clock and they'll reset the shot clock to 14 look at the big guys now for Larry Bird he's got Perkins finally on Ewing Crozier guarding Camby and Derrick McKey trying to tower over Sprewell now Perkins picked up that last foul he's got three two-man game Ewing three well he's on the shot clock three wells let that go that will hit the back on Earth Austin Crozier hauls it down [Applause] great philosophers bounzer starting to show some signs of contributing [Applause] [Music] and Miller shoots at three Reggie Miller we called for a miller explosion if Indiana was to win on the road and record the first road victory of this series and he has 20 points that was automatic as soon as he looked up and saw his job he was letting that one go Indiana by two real I'll need some help the starting to stand and that's what gets him in trouble four to shoot great closeout Travis best child best took it away good defense by the Indiana and don't like this call it was a violation of the shot clock as opposed to the out-of-bounds call that gives the ball to Indiana and Travis best continues to play superb basketball and the child's and family's gonna have a great difficulty in containing slowing down Travis best Larry Bird was calling on the plate from inside in it was a cross screen see they've taken a lot of time to get into it so that play whatever it was it's not gonna happen and it's going to be an individual effort by Travis best near the book not by child's and drew the foul [Applause] once again hurting the Knicks on with Reggie Miller standing back jab step Jeff step two of them no defense so much height so much size Chris Giles has just picked up his fifth foul we'll be back [Music] Reggie Miller is a guy that believes he's never in a channel of plump and he also believes that when you need a big bastard mate he's the guy that you should look for in a third quarter in which his team struggle to find points it was Reggie Miller that you made just enough to keep them in the ball game and now he's thinking Miller Tom let's go down to Jim gross all right thanks Napa Larry first are in that timeout told his guys get some easy baskets keep driving to the hold and they already have three team fouls couple more and they'll be shooting for the rest of the quarter he doesn't want them to keep settling for perimeter shots only only if you're got a good look tom and that free-throw story that Jim Gray was reporting from Larry Bird who was the best at controlling tempo by getting to the free-throw line himself the Pacers in the first quarter were a perfect 8 for 8 from the line since that time until these two free throws by Travis best but the Pacers were only four for seven not getting to the line at all in the second and third quarters in the end they lead by four 69 65 turnover turnovers it is what you will get the Knicks in a hole they're down four points and they've got to be good every time doing Blancas event for the first time in the second half a dozen turnovers committed by New York [Applause] got a tough matchup trying to garden Birkins misses a three he can make that shot fairly regularly but that one would uh go down in New York hazard back in Alabama each other's Sprewell with a quick shot now when they get a quick shot like that they're not gonna get the chance to get the rebound and that's what Van Gundy tell the guys we didn't have to win the game all one minute but it can't just be the trustee Walmart Miller for a time out Van Gundy he's seen enough the defensive strategy breaking down for New York what do you know was only a matter of time before Reggie Miller would do his Knick killing act once more Indiana's on a 10 nothing run Reggie Miller has scored 14 of Indiana's second half points and Indiana is up 72 65 [Music] Madison Square Garden New York with the Indiana Pacers are just over eight minutes away from a trip to the NBA Finals and they have their star Reggie Miller to thank for it in the second half he has scored 14 points the rest of the team just ate Ewing missing badly a shot that was the first shot attempt by Amy Nick other than the trophy well who opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer now he missed his next two and then they just had turnovers in that air ball well they're having a short breather but he's got to come back in the game and I gotta get something from him closure from the corner missed the three Ewing hauls it down hazard patrick has 11 rebounds what the Knicks can't do is flatten out emotionally they're still in the ball game a ton of time and even those three rugs in their only score they've just got to continue to fight through and to get to the becoming a junkie Knicks are shooting 38% Susman Indiana to shave 38% and really Hindley in Madison Square Garden by seven points here's an and another damaged Miller was a tough pass but preservation could get and misses the shot Marcus Camby Wade's in [Music] taking the ball in the hole back-to-back bombs by Crozier meeting together though people listen to the coach why would you not listen to their Bieber well news flash sometimes NBA players pay more attention one of the chief offenders of that was Larry Bird [Applause] that the Pacers on a ten nothing run but you saw it in the Laker game when Phil Jackson told no more threes Lord the shot clock was running down he had to shoot it and shot one of the tougher shots of the night to get his fourth point his first field goal now he's got a place of defense forty somebody does one Travis best by the what this you can lecture he's not going to give this ball out Marcus Camby Steiner come over huh Indiana gets it back with four to shoot Charlie Ward just making his first shot of the night McKeon outstanding inbound password the bowl on the shot clock screams galore for Reggie Miller wait while guarding it it comes to closure and standing lunges short air ball to Ewing Ward pushing to New York he had a mismatch with Perkins he should have been looking to go right by him Perkins could shut that down against Perkins and he'll shoot two free-throws Sam committing a foul you know when you can't jump over people you play under them and Patrick Ewing now playing underneath the long arms of Sam Perkins to get to the free-throw line four fouls on Perkins and the look of dismay on Larry Bird's face when that ball was whistled Perkins played iam perfect tomorrow night at 8:00 7:00 central you can enjoy the NBC Saturday night movie starting starring Ed O'Neill and Rick Moranis Little Giants then at 10:00 9:00 central world's most amazing videos all Saturday nights here on NBC there's Rick Perkins thought he was coming out but it's often Crozier who didn't get that message but the thought that feels nasty that forced him to give Foreman would stay with the offense go through caps and they did nothing but throw them up from three-point range and that helped Portland put them away and forth Ewing misses the second free-throw 17 in the game for Patrick the lead is 4 for Indiana we're getting Miller 1 to switch every single time Charlie Ward trying to prevent the pass to Miller deflected out of bounds in the end of play a two-man basketball they run the pickin wall with the guards and they switch in that forces Chris Charlie Ward get barred Reggie Miller crowd trying to lift New York with 6:17 remaining Indiana has they have eight to shoot gets back and delivers another three Reggie Miller with another dagger darting back behind the three-point line and knocking it down he has 26 against the team he says he hates the team they had to beat to get to the bunny just focus his concentration in the zone clearly at this point get in the ball every time down Patrick Ewing up shop topside and very John Larry fowls knocking it away from Dale Davis well it's time for Allan Houston to get back in the ball game they've got to have a true stick from the outside since the Knicks are suck on the perimeter but Reggie Miller saying look there's only one way we're gonna win this game and that's going to be with me shooting the ball and not Austin Crozier actually that's a good idea Reggie Miller has not been a real terrific factor in the series until now and last year was not a big factor as New York beat Indiana here is again doing it Nik defeating act as the gardens which he has become so famous looking there Miller why not you'll shoot too and he is only the second best free-throw shooter in the league Jalen Rose back in the game after sitting for nine minutes are we gonna see Rik Smits again or is Larry Bird gonna stay with Dale Davis and Sam Perkins up front we've picked up if you need for Rick to be in this ball game today Rick's a very good basketball player you never have too many of those 525 left and Indiana leads 76 68 525 left in the game Pacers lead 76 68 I'm Jim Gray we spoke to Larry Bird yesterday and he told us and about this point in the game against the Chicago Bulls back in 1998 his rookie season as a coach they were up by about six points with about five minutes five and a half minutes left he was telling Bill Walton and I yesterday that he has never really as a coach gotten over that game it's this game right here game six turns out to be the same thing it would be an exorcist of that demon to a certain degree and if he blows that they'll have another one to add to that record found in that game the Indiana Pacers were outrebounded by 19 offensive rebounds they couldn't make a stop down the stretch Charlie Ward bring some sorta life back to the Knicks ballgame seven point game but they've got to be able to looking for a switch making the defense react Miller with gin on the clock Houston back defending him that Jonathan Ward is trying to see will handedly bring the Knicks back with every hustler play he can mate nice balls has been the determining factor for virtually every one of these being the trying to get the ball to Allan Houston is trying to make it happen he's got a shooting campaign and it turned into a turnover in this fourth quarter Reggie Miller alone has asked for the Knicks 11 to 8 and stuff out Larry Johnson Travis best when you let best dance like that that's when you get in trouble you got you and make him be very tentative about what he wants to do for on the quarter for him they may want to think about double teaming him out pass the ball rather than shoot it there's a foul on best [Applause] and you get a hook against Travis Beth on the screen he's saying the screen was moving four minutes to go 15 on the shot clock for three well and New York the goods bacon through the pile Patrick Ewing back to the line trouble is he's been hitting the first and missing the second on recent trips to the strike bird staying with the strategy of Dale Davis thinking he's got more strength and power to keep to keep it Patrick Ewing off the spots free throw no good he's only five of eight and don't forget coming up next to crucial game six in the West Shaq of the Lakers against Scottie in the Blazers with LA hoping to close it out on the road team has been predominant in that series that's coming up next the Lakers and the Trail Blazers during again hits only one of two he has 18 points and 12 rebounds the patients have lost five straight at Madison Square Garden dating back to playoffs when married up and have that four-point play and in the regular season as playoffs in this season no road team has won a game that the patient there were looking for Reggie Miller all the way [Applause] for Jalen Rose if he was fine to find Reggie Miller Jalen Rose has got to be more proactive and creative himself in dick and find Reggie Miller Indiana State can read too much time to get into their plays but by the time somebody who's really good in score it's the ball they basically have to rush into their shot remember in the history of these two rivals game six had always been worn by the New York Knicks you know you know if you stay at that table long enough dogs will finally go in your favor it's just a question of whether you're going to have enough money when you find that you don't want to hear about odds I want to hear about ballplayers three previous occasions Indiana needed only one victory to advance the finals and they failed to do so all three times his ward for three kept alive by Ewing for a moment before the sure hands of Dale Davis squeeze it and he has 60 rebounds his magic number throughout this series here's the double team by Larry Johnson but still not enough to make Travis best give it up haha yeah make him pass Jackson up off the bench the first one the guy who Travis best put to the bench mark is there to encourage and support Travis best [Music] to win an NBA championship first you must make the NBA Finals for the Indiana Pacers that has been easier said than done in Game five Indiana found themselves in an early hole and dangerously close to yet another Conference Finals disaster but the veteran Pacers battled back and now have put themselves within only minutes of reaching the next step to their ultimate dream a dream that ends with the Pacers holding the NBA championship trophy [Music] Madison Square Garden trying to rally the Knicks one last comeback here in game 6 to 54 downtown [Applause] champion ABA looking to advance to their first NBA Finals who's on top of their game for the Knicks if they're gonna pull off a miraculous comeback Sam Perkins great defense that defensive attitude has really stepped up they have been coming back to doing they get nothing inside and of course what a lot of speculation is going to come out of the the during helped or hurt I'd say it worked for Patrick Ewing tonight they would have never been difficult at solving foul Travis says well the speculation will continue unabated if the Knicks do lose this game about the Patrick Ewing and whether he helps or hurts New York your opinion bill they don't run without him or with him excuse me they stand around they all watch him he's too big of a safety net he's too good they stand there and say you do it Patrick where has been the contribution to the other guys in support of you Houston can hit Indiana has it again Miller's fouled after three quarters we were tied at 62 Latrell Sprewell opened the fourth quarter with a three pointer giving New York a 65-62 lead but since then New York has just two field goals and red Miller has put the Pacers in position to take the title Charlie Ward has just fouled out of the game there's a man that really has helped the Knicks get to this position of Game six in throughout this playoff series he has validated his credentials as a legitimate NBA point guard you know Travis Beth was hot and got into with Joey Crawford veggies ever before he stepped to the lines to look at the scoreboard forget about it we're two minutes away from getting to where we want to be with four more games to kind of play and win for the championship bird looking at the clock as the lead continued to grow in his favor and Reggie Miller now with 30 points there's the explosion we talked about it was indeed the Reggie Miller carried the Pacers on his back you know and that's what really hurting the New York Knicks they come back to Patrick Ewing who guarantee to win he can't deliver but Alan Houston has basically disappeared at the most crucial time in the ballgame for New York but this has been the greatest victory here in Indiana of history and it knew the Reggie Miller in large part in the French Quarter he's outscored New York single-handedly 13 to 9 he's from UCLA what do you expect we went the whole game without now down to 142 and maybe the Pacers will dance at the garden in 1985 the New York Knicks won the NBA lottery and with it came the rights to Patrick Ewing the man who would bring NBA glory back to New York and although things have not always worked out for Ewing and his teammates it was Ewing than leathernecks past Miami in game 7 and back to another conference final Patrick Ewing the veteran the warrior the franchise but apparently once again coming up short in his goal to bringing the NBA title back to New York [Applause] Patrick Ewing has been taken out of the ball game now as Van Gundy is looking for a long-range offense a Patrick Ewing even at the age of 37 is still one of the top four centers in the NBA along with Shaq David Robinson Alonzo Mourning three Mahalo three-point opportunity Patrick apparently done for the night with 18 points 12 rebounds in 38 minutes of play you know this is the kind of play that just comes too late you're now fighting time if you're Sprewell in the New York Knicks you have to have a total breakdown of the Indiana Pacers the Pacers are going to be eaten time up looking to get to the free-throw line where they aren't outstanding free throw game get the ball to Travis best and Reggie Miller there should be the only guys at hand the ball just hold it here then Burke is so smart well this team everyone thought this would be their last chance they have six free agents their coach the legendary Larry Bird has said he won't coach past this season they quit they questioned the trade of Antonio Davis to Toronto in the offseason the heart of the team was questioned after the Knicks defeated them last season when they had been the favorite for in the Eastern Conference and a lot of those demons will be put to rest if they can hold on for a minute 27 and all the good teams all the champion teams had somebody they had to get by for the Pacers it has always been New York and it has been New York but the Pacers are so much like the Utah Jazz you know the Jazz have to climb and climb and climb they finally got to the mountain which their flight never got the championship but they will get their first opportunity Larry Bird has told us unequivocally a Sprewell tries to incident dodge with a three he said bird that even if the team wins the championship he's not coming back as the coach grandmas best has found as the Knicks close within eight Indiana though in this fourth quarter has hit all ten of their free throws he talks about the validation of Charlie Ward as a player about the validation of Larry Bird as a coach here's a guy who gets criticized time and time again Larry Bird has coached this team for three years they've been in the conference final every year in the Eastern Conference and has not been done since Phil Jackson was running the Chicago Bulls Larry Bird developing new talent Travis death Jalen Rose Austin Crozier getting the new building built Conseco Fieldhouse [Applause] the best basketball facility ever built [Applause] he did they were they were done the build that without it'll get carried away come on the team was on this team was on the skids before he got there and now they're in the NBA Finals the Larry Brown didn't get him to the Eastern Conference Finals with you pal Larry Brown's one of the five greatest coaches in basketball today [Music] good contribution 10 points the last 13 minutes his only points of the game and facing either Los Angeles or Portland who would they prefer to play as far as matchups going well nobody wants to play good Shaq right they even the Blazer is don't want to play get shy beat the Lakers when they want 16 in a row they broke the streak they think they can play against them they slept the Trailblazers in their season matchup they feel that if they get to the championship round they can play with anybody remember what Jackson told us force and aggression will I have enough force and aggression to win four more games regardless of who the opponent is oh boy the Pacers have an infinitely better chance against Portland than they do against the Lakers one thing they'll have in their favor is free-throw shooting the best in the NBA and in this fourth quarter when it counts to preserve an apparent victory they have hit 14 for 14 you know when you get in this position and you're down ten two minutes to go you have to have a total breakdown and the patient you're just not going to give it to the knick and you know it's one of those deals where it's too little too late for Larry Johnson and New Yor you know a couple of those four-point plays you got to bring that stuff early in the game back to the free-throw line well they were tight as you look at them Donnie Wallace the president and Melvin Simon one of the owners hurt Simon excuse me they were tight before the ball game very very nervous about it and they did not want to have to go back to Indiana to play a game seven I shouldn't come right back for them on that plane how sweet will this be for Reggie Miller all tremendous I think that they should just totally ignore this and say look getting to the finals is not enough we gotta win this thing you think Larry Bird's gonna be happy to lose the finals well but they least get to play for the final Wow maybe at least put some of those demons behind them and now a new challenge and they will make it to the finals yes Reggie Miller will return to the free-throw line well Jeff Van Gundy looked up at the clock and I think he's gonna call off the fouling now he knows that that there is absolutely nothing they can do Jackson and Byrd exchange hugs and you know that's the joy right there they say and that's what we're talking about that's what we came here to do and how great is this for Mark Jackson who played here grew up here Rookie of the Year for the New York Knicks I said he wasn't good enough anymore at grouping teaming with Patrick Ewing for some great years and he said he wanted to dance on the garden floor tonight and he can do his dance Larry Bird prohibited that little shimmy but I think he can probably do it tonight if he wants as Reggie Miller's point total continues he started with five points in the first not for the second eight it was Miller time 17 in the fourth quarter 34 in the game Mark Jackson told us before the game that the biggest road victory of his entire life came game 7 and 95 when they won mr. Leo Leo Davis got the rebound miss supplants that is a greatest victory of mark Jackson's legendary basketball killer either team in this series all season long the fifth Conference final that Indiana has been in they lost the previous floor price to the Knicks the shot clock expires and they'll turn it back to New York with nine point seven and then the laughter for Dale Davis how Hardys were pounding the board's never gets in the credit finally got the respect this year as he made his first all-star team Dale Davis ever this the personal notes been fun this season guys had a great time at the final seconds tick away as always Tom thank you congratulations to the Indiana Pacers well deserved the best team all year they proved it during the regular season end during the playoffs in the Eastern Conference so the final score 93 to 80 the Indiana Pacers on their way to the NBA Finals for the first time in their history Indiana outscoring New York 31 to 15 over the last 11 minutes 17 of those 31 points contributed by their star Reggie Miller another long walk for Patrick Ewing as the Indiana Pacers celebrates their first Eastern Conference championship let's go to Jim Gray all right thank you very much Tom I'm here with Reggie Miller Reggie after four tries to finally make it to the finals what's going through your mind and your thoughts right now this is special I mean you know we've always fought and you always get to the Conference Finals and lose twice against New York and Chicago in Orlando and to finally have another opportunity to get here and you know I told the guys before the game if the league called you up and asked you you you only had to play one game and you can pick the spot where you want to play and if you win that game you get to move on to the finals would you take it and where would you want to play and everyone in unison said the Knicks in the garden and let's go for it and the Knicks end the guards you tell me about that to finally beat this team a team that you have said quite frankly you hate well I might dislike them and sometimes hate them but I have so much respect for New York and the New York fans it's always been tough to play here we knew coming in it was going to be physical like I said we had to exorcise some demons and like I said some teams have this eliminate the disappointments of the past oh we finally get to move on so I would say yeah but this is just so sweet because everyone chipped in tonight and played well oh my god this is beautiful all right Reggie congratulations - we're coming all right back over to you Tom haven't thanked you Jim so Indiana wins Game six 93 to 80 we'll hear from the Knicks at halftime of the second game the Western Conference Finals so Indiana on the way to the finals for the first time in history now stay tuned for Game six of the Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and the Blazers that'll be coming up next Reggie Miller leading the onslaught with 34 points 17 in the fourth quarter as Indiana takes Game six and the series four games to two for Steve Jones Bill Walton and Jim Gray this is Tom Hammonds saying so long from New York this has been the

Channel: Tremendous Upside

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Id: bBiJ94QSkFk

Length: 104min 31sec (6271 seconds)

Published: Sun Apr 05 2020