The Indiana Pacers are currently leading the Eastern Conference Finals 3-2 with a home game on Saturday. The team can close out the series at home on Saturday and punch their tickets to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. Many people compare this team to the 2000 Indiana Pacers team. In this article I will point out some key similarities and also point out some things that are not similar lets dive into it.
Pacers Roster From 2000
The roster from 2000 had plenty of talent on it with Reggie Miller, Jalen Rose, Rik Smits, Mark Jackson, Dale Davis, Austin Croshere, Derrick McKey, Sam Perkins, Travis Best, Al Harrington, and Chris Mullin. They had finished first in the Central Division with a record of 56-26 and have a league best 36-5 record at home at then Conseco Fieldhouse inaugural season.
The team also had a 25-game winning streak at home during this season and also finished in the top 10 for attendance for the year. This team would not be denied a chance to play for the team’s first NBA Title after beating the Knicks in the ECF to head on to play a Lakers team with Kobe and Shaq. The Pacers would lose in the NBA Finals to the Lakers in six games.
Final Thoughts
This Pacers team is much like the 2000 team meaning both teams were in the top five during the regular season. They also were a very deep team with at least five players coming off the bench just like the team this year. It is still to be determined on if the blue and gold make it to the NBA Finals with still needing one win in the ECF.
Game 6 is tonight with the Pacers having a chance to closeout the Knicks and head back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. Stay tuned to Total Apex Sports and see if they can make it back.
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