I still remember where I was when Reggie Miller scored eight points in nine seconds - sitting cross-legged on my grandmother's floral carpet, jaw practically touching the floor. That 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks wasn't just basketball; it was theater, and we were all witnesses to what would become one of the most legendary playoff series in NBA history. Having studied countless playoff matchups throughout my career as a basketball analyst, I can confidently say this series contained more dramatic turns than a Shakespearean tragedy, with coaching genius, last-second heroics, and enough bad blood to fuel a dozen rivalries.
The series had everything basketball purists love - physical defense, strategic adjustments, and moments that would define careers. What made it particularly fascinating was how both teams mirrored aspects of that Japanese volleyball match I once analyzed, where the High Speed Hitters narrowly defeated their opponents in three tightly-contested sets (20-25, 22-25, 23-25). Similarly, four of the seven games in this NBA series were decided by five points or fewer, with neither team ever establishing clear dominance. The margins were razor-thin throughout, much like those volleyball sets where every point mattered and momentum shifted unpredictably. I've always believed that the best playoff series aren't blowouts but these nail-biters where every possession feels like life or death, and this 1995 showdown delivered that in spades.
Game 1 set the tone perfectly at Madison Square Garden, with the Knicks edging out a 107-105 victory behind Patrick Ewing's 25 points and 11 rebounds. What many forget is that the Pacers actually had a chance to tie it in the final seconds, but Miller's three-pointer rattled out. I've watched that clip dozens of times, and each time I notice something different - how John Starks' defensive positioning was actually slightly off, how Miller's release was maybe a fraction too quick. These are the moments that haunt players for years, and they're what make playoff basketball so psychologically fascinating.
Then came Game 5, which I consider one of the top three most incredible individual performances I've ever witnessed. With the series tied 2-2 and Indiana's season on the line, Miller decided the game in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. The Knicks led 105-99 with about 18 seconds remaining when Miller hit a three-pointer, stole the inbounds pass, stepped back behind the arc and hit another three, got fouled on the ensuing possession and made both free throws, then sealed it with two more free throws after another New York turnover. Eight points in 8.9 seconds - I still get chills thinking about it. The math alone is staggering - Miller scored more points in those nine seconds than some entire teams score in two minutes of playoff basketball.
What often gets overlooked in the Miller heroics narrative is how brilliantly Larry Brown coached throughout this series. His decision to consistently double-team Ewing in the post, forcing other Knicks to beat them, was strategically masterful. The numbers bear this out - while Ewing averaged 19.8 points, his supporting cast struggled mightily, with Starks shooting just 34% from the field throughout the series. Having spoken with Coach Brown years later about this series, he told me his game plan was always to make someone besides Ewing beat them, even if it meant giving up open looks to role players. That calculated risk paid off beautifully.
The series ultimately went seven games, with the Pacers closing it out 97-95 in a contest that featured 18 lead changes and 11 ties. The final possession alone lasted nearly eight seconds as the Knicks desperately tried to get Ewing a good look, but Indiana's defense held firm. I've always felt this was the moment the Pacers truly arrived as championship contenders, shedding their "good but not great" label that had plagued them for years. The legacy of this series extends far beyond that season though - it fundamentally changed how coaches approach end-game situations, with many now practicing specific "clutch time" scenarios largely because of what Miller accomplished.
Looking back nearly three decades later, what strikes me most is how this series represented a transitional moment in NBA basketball. The physical, half-court style of the Knicks was beginning to give way to more perimeter-oriented attacks, foreshadowing the league's evolution toward three-point shooting. Miller attempted 46 threes in this series alone, which was considered astronomical at the time but would be perfectly normal today. I can't help but wonder how different the outcome might have been if the three-point revolution had already arrived - would the Knicks have adjusted their strategy? Would Miller have taken even more attempts?
The 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals left an indelible mark on everyone who witnessed it, myself included. It taught me that in playoff basketball, conventional wisdom often goes out the window, and individual brilliance can overcome even the most daunting statistical probabilities. Those seven games contained more drama than most entire playoff runs, creating memories that have lasted generations. Whenever current fans complain about today's NBA lacking intensity, I simply point them to this series - the gold standard for playoff drama and a reminder of why we fell in love with basketball in the first place.
