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1994–95 Indiana Pacers season

NBA professional basketball team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1994–95 Indiana Pacers season was the 19th season for the Indiana Pacers in the National Basketball Association, and their 28th season as a franchise.[1]

Season summary

Off-season

After appearing in their first Conference Finals last season, the Pacers acquired Mark Jackson from the Los Angeles Clippers,[2][3][4] and signed free agent Duane Ferrell during the off-season.[5]

Regular season

With the addition of Jackson, the Pacers got off to a solid 14–6 start to the regular season, and later on held a 27–19 record at the All-Star break.[6] The team posted a 25–11 record for the remainder of the season, which included a seven-game winning streak in February. The Pacers finished in first place in the Central Division with a 52–30 record, earned the second seed in the Eastern Conference, and won their first Division title since joining the NBA;[7][8] the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the sixth consecutive year.[1]

Reggie Miller averaged 19.6 points per game, led the Pacers with 195 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Rik Smits averaged 17.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, and Derrick McKey provided the team with 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. In addition, Dale Davis provided with 10.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game, while Jackson contributed 7.6 points, 7.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Off the bench, sixth man Byron Scott contributed 10.0 points per game, while second-year forward Antonio Davis averaged 7.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, but only played just 44 games due to a back injury,[9][10] Sam Mitchell contributed 6.5 points per game, and Haywoode Workman averaged 4.2 points and 2.8 assists per game.[11]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, Miller was selected for the 1995 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his second All-Star appearance, and his first since 1990.[12][13][14] In addition, Miller also participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout for the fourth time.[15][16] Smits finished tied in ninth place in Most Improved Player voting,[17][18] while McKey finished tied in sixth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,[19][18] and Scott finished in sixth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[20][18]

The Pacers finished 16th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 654,428 at the Market Square Arena during the regular season.[11][21]

NBA playoffs

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1995 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, the Pacers faced off against the 7th–seeded Atlanta Hawks, a team that featured All-Star guard Mookie Blaylock, Steve Smith and Stacey Augmon. The Pacers won the first two games over the Hawks at home at the Market Square Arena, before winning Game 3 on the road, 105–89 at the Omni Coliseum to win the series in a three-game sweep.[22][23][24]

In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, and for the third consecutive year, the Pacers faced off against the 3rd–seeded New York Knicks, who were led by All-Star center Patrick Ewing, All-Star guard John Starks, and Sixth Man of the Year, Anthony Mason. Despite the Pacers winning the Central Division title, the Knicks had home-court advantage in the series since they finished with a better regular-season record. In Game 1 at Madison Square Garden, the Pacers were down by six points with 16.4 seconds left; Miller would single-handedly stun the Knicks by nailing a three-point shot, and then stealing the inbounds pass and tying the game with another three-pointer.[8] Knicks fan and film director Spike Lee was just a few feet away. Miller would add two free throws and give the Pacers a legendary comeback win, 107–105.[25][26][27] The Pacers then lost Game 2 to the Knicks, 96–77, as the series moved to the Market Square Arena;[28] after four games, the Pacers took a 3–1 series lead.[29][30][31] However, the Knicks managed to win the next two games to force a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. The Pacers won Game 7 over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, 97–95, as Ewing's last-second shot did not go in the basket; the Pacers defeated the Knicks in a hard-fought seven-game series.[32][33][34]

In their second appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, and also for the second consecutive year, the Pacers faced off against the top–seeded, and Atlantic Division champion Orlando Magic, who were led by the All-Star trio of Shaquille O'Neal, second-year star Penny Hardaway, and Horace Grant. The Magic took a 3–2 series lead, but the Pacers managed to win Game 6 at the Market Square Arena, 123–96 to even the series.[35][36][37] However, the Pacers lost Game 7 to the Magic on the road, 105–81 at the Orlando Arena, thus losing in a hard-fought seven-game series; the home team won every game in this series.[38][39][40]

The Magic would advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, but would lose to the 6th–seeded, and defending NBA champion Houston Rockets in a four-game sweep in the 1995 NBA Finals.[41][42][43] The Pacers were familiar with their opponents during the postseason, as they faced off against the same teams that they played against in last year's playoffs, the Hawks, Knicks and Magic, but this time in different order.

Aftermath

Following the season, Scott was left unprotected in the 1995 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies expansion team,[44][45][46] while long-time Pacers guard Vern Fleming signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets,[47][48] Mitchell re-signed with his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves,[49][50] and LaSalle Thompson was released to free agency.

Offseason

NBA draft

More information Round, Pick ...
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
115Eric PiatkowskiSG United StatesNebraska
241William NjokuPF Ghana/ CanadaSt. Mary's (Canada)
244Damon BaileyPG United StatesIndiana
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Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...
1994–95 Indiana Pacers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F/C 33 Antonio Davis 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1968–10–31 UTEP
F/C 32 Dale Davis 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1969–03–25 Clemson
F 27 Duane Ferrell 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1965–02–28 Georgia Tech
G 10 Vern Fleming 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1962–02–04 Georgia
F 43 Scott Haskin (IN) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1970–09–19 Oregon State
G 13 Mark Jackson 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–04–01 St. John's
C 54 Greg Kite 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1961–08–05 BYU
F 9 Derrick McKey 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1966–10–10 Alabama
G 31 Reggie Miller 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1965–08–24 UCLA
F 5 Sam Mitchell 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1963–09–02 Mercer
G 4 Byron Scott 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1961–03–28 Arizona State
C 45 Rik Smits 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1966–08–23 Marist
C 41 LaSalle Thompson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1961–06–23 Texas
G 3 Haywoode Workman 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1966–01–23 Oral Roberts
Head coach
Assistant(s)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (IN) Inactive
  • Injured Injured

Roster

Close

Roster notes

  • Point guard Damon Bailey was on the injured reserve list due to knee injuries, missed the entire regular season, and never played for the Pacers.
  • Center Scott Haskin was on the injured reserve list due to a back injury, and missed the entire regular season.

Regular season

Season standings

More information W, L ...
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Indiana Pacers 5230.634–33–819–2218–10
x-Charlotte Hornets 5032.610229–1221–2017–11
x-Chicago Bulls 4735.573528–1319–2216–12
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 4339.524926–1517–2417–11
x-Atlanta Hawks 4240.5121024–1718–239–19
Milwaukee Bucks 3448.4151822–1912–2913–15
Detroit Pistons 2854.3412422–196–358–20
Close
More information #, Team ...
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Orlando Magic5725.695–
2 y-Indiana Pacers5230.6345
3 x-New York Knicks5527.6712
4 x-Charlotte Hornets5032.6107
5 x-Chicago Bulls4735.57310
6 x-Cleveland Cavaliers4339.52414
7 x-Atlanta Hawks4240.51215
8 x-Boston Celtics3547.42722
9 Milwaukee Bucks3448.41523
10 Miami Heat3250.39025
11 New Jersey Nets3052.36627
12 Detroit Pistons2854.34129
13 Philadelphia 76ers2458.29333
14 Washington Bullets2161.25636
Close

[51]

Game log

Regular season

More information 1994–95 game log Total: 52–30 (home: 33–8; road: 19–22), Game ...
1994–95 game log
Total: 52–30 (home: 33–8; road: 19–22)
November: 7–5 (home: 4–1; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1 November 4, 1994 @ Atlanta W 94–92 The Omni 1–0
2 November 5, 1994 Boston W 112–103 Market Square Arena 2–0
3 November 9, 1994
6:00 p.m. EST
Houston L 104–109 Miller (25) D. Davis (14) Jackson (9) Market Square Arena
15,258
2–1
4 November 10, 1994 @ Detroit L 110–112 The Palace of Auburn Hills 2–2
5 November 12, 1994 @ Cleveland W 93–86 Gund Arena 3–2
6 November 15, 1994 @ Milwaukee L 81–82 Bradley Center 3–3
7 November 18, 1994 Seattle W 94–87 Market Square Arena 4–3
8 November 19, 1994 @ Charlotte W 102–89 Charlotte Coliseum 5–3
9 November 24, 1994 Golden State W 123–96 Market Square Arena 6–3
10 November 25, 1994 Milwaukee W 111–106 Market Square Arena 7–3
11 November 27, 1994 @ Portland L 89–99 Memorial Coliseum 7–4
12 November 28, 1994 @ Seattle L 99–118 Tacoma Dome 7–5
December: 10–4 (home: 6–0; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
13 December 1, 1994 @ L.A. Clippers W 93–84 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 8–5
14 December 3, 1994 @ Golden State W 118–107 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 9–5
15 December 6, 1994 Detroit W 90–83 Market Square Arena 10–5
16 December 9, 1994 @ Philadelphia W 94–88 CoreStates Spectrum 11–5
17 December 10, 1994 Miami W 117–103 Market Square Arena 12–5
18 December 13, 1994 @ Cleveland L 83–90 Gund Arena 12–6
19 December 14, 1994 Atlanta W 81–79 Market Square Arena 13–6
20 December 16, 1994 Charlotte W 93–91 Market Square Arena 14–6
21 December 20, 1994 @ Charlotte L 95–99 Charlotte Coliseum 14–7
22 December 21, 1994 Chicago W 107–99 Market Square Arena 15–7
23 December 23, 1994 @ Chicago L 92–116 United Center 15–8
24 December 27, 1994 @ Denver W 95–91 McNichols Sports Arena 16–8
25 December 28, 1994 @ Utah L 95–117 Delta Center 16–9
26 December 30, 1994 New Jersey W 96–79 Market Square Arena 17–9
January: 7–8 (home: 5–3; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
27 January 3, 1995 @ New Jersey L 103–114 Brendan Byrne Arena 17–10
28 January 4, 1995 Washington W 94–90 Market Square Arena 18–10
29 January 6, 1995 @ Dallas L 92–103 Reunion Arena 18–11
30 January 7, 1995
8:30 p.m. EST
@ Houston W 88–83 Miller (23) D. Davis (12) Jackson (8) The Summit
16,611
19–11
31 January 10, 1995 @ New York L 105–117 Madison Square Garden 19–12
32 January 11, 1995 @ Boston L 97–100 Boston Garden 19–13
33 January 13, 1995 @ Washington W 113–99 Capital Centre 20–13
34 January 14, 1995 Milwaukee L 95–97 Market Square Arena 20–14
35 January 16, 1995 Utah L 98–99 (OT) Market Square Arena 20–15
36 January 18, 1995 L.A. Lakers W 106–105 Market Square Arena 21–15
37 January 20, 1995 Atlanta W 99–89 Market Square Arena 22–15
38 January 22, 1995
2:30 p.m. EST
San Antonio W 98–93 Smits (16) D. Davis (11) Jackson (7) Market Square Arena
16,672
23–15
39 January 24, 1995 @ Miami L 96–107 Miami Arena 23–16
40 January 26, 1995 Phoenix L 86–92 Market Square Arena 23–17
41 January 28, 1995 Philadelphia W 106–103 (OT) Market Square Arena 24–17
February: 10–3 (home: 5–1; road: 5–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
42 February 1, 1995 Cleveland W 101–82 Market Square Arena 25–17
43 February 3, 1995
7:30 p.m. EST
Orlando W 118–106 Smits (27) Smits (10) Miller (5) Market Square Arena
16,749
26–17
44 February 4, 1995 @ Cleveland L 73–82 Gund Arena 26–18
45 February 7, 1995 @ Charlotte W 95–92 (OT) Charlotte Coliseum 27–18
46 February 8, 1995 New York L 77–96 Market Square Arena 27–19
All-Star Break
47 February 14, 1995
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Orlando L 92–111 Smits (20) Smits (8) Jackson (6) Orlando Arena
16,010
27–20
48 February 15, 1995 Detroit W 114–88 Market Square Arena 28–20
49 February 17, 1995 @ Minnesota W 110–78 Target Center 29–20
50 February 19, 1995 Miami W 106–87 Market Square Arena 30–20
51 February 22, 1995 @ New Jersey W 113–94 Brendan Byrne Arena 31–20
52 February 24, 1995 @ Milwaukee W 98–86 Bradley Center 32–20
53 February 26, 1995 Dallas W 100–92 Market Square Arena 33–20
54 February 27, 1995 @ Boston W 108–97 Boston Garden 34–20
March: 11–6 (home: 7–2; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
55 March 1, 1995 @ Detroit L 79–92 The Palace of Auburn Hills 34–21
56 March 3, 1995 @ Washington L 106–111 Capital Centre 34–22
57 March 4, 1995 Boston L 101–107 Market Square Arena 34–23
58 March 7, 1995
8:30 p.m. EST
@ San Antonio W 117–100 Smits (35) Smits (10) Jackson (6) Alamodome
17,665
35–23
59 March 9, 1995 @ Sacramento W 109–94 ARCO Arena 36–23
60 March 10, 1995 @ Phoenix W 112–97 America West Arena 37–23
61 March 13, 1995 @ L.A. Lakers L 91–93 Great Western Forum 37–24
62 March 15, 1995 Milwaukee W 117–108 Market Square Arena 38–24
63 March 17, 1995
7:30 p.m. EST
Orlando W 107–97 Smits (21) Smits (11) Jackson (11) Market Square Arena
16,706
39–24
64 March 19, 1995 Chicago W 103–96 (OT) Market Square Arena 40–24
65 March 21, 1995 @ Miami L 95–97 Miami Arena 40–25
66 March 22, 1995 L.A. Clippers W 107–103 Market Square Arena 41–25
67 March 24, 1995 Sacramento W 103–96 Market Square Arena 42–25
68 March 25, 1995 @ Philadelphia W 84–75 CoreStates Spectrum 43–25
69 March 27, 1995 New Jersey W 98–87 Market Square Arena 44–25
70 March 29, 1995 Cleveland W 107–96 Market Square Arena 45–25
71 March 31, 1995 Denver L 92–107 Market Square Arena 45–26
April: 7–4 (home: 6–1; road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
72 April 2, 1995 Portland W 104–93 Market Square Arena 46–26
73 April 4, 1995 @ New York W 94–90 Madison Square Garden 47–26
74 April 5, 1995 Washington W 102–90 Market Square Arena 48–26
75 April 7, 1995 @ Atlanta L 90–102 The Omni 48–27
76 April 9, 1995 Charlotte W 97–68 Market Square Arena 49–27
77 April 11, 1995 @ Chicago L 89–96 United Center 49–28
78 April 14, 1995 New York L 84–88 Market Square Arena 49–29
79 April 16, 1995 Minnesota W 114–75 Market Square Arena 50–29
80 April 19, 1995 Philadelphia W 103–91 Market Square Arena 51–29
81 April 21, 1995
7:00 p.m. EST
@ Orlando L 86–110 Miller (14) D. Davis, Mitchell (9) Jackson (8) Orlando Arena
16,010
51–30
82 April 23, 1995 Atlanta W 103–87 Market Square Arena 52–30
1994–95 schedule
Close

Playoffs

More information 1995 playoff game log, Game ...
1995 playoff game log
Eastern Conference First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1 April 27, 1995 Atlanta W 90–82 Miller (24) McKey (9) Jackson (9) Market Square Arena
16,445
1–0
2 April 29, 1995 Atlanta W 105–97 Miller (39) Smits (11) Jackson (7) Market Square Arena
16,692
2–0
3 May 2, 1995 @ Atlanta W 105–89 Miller (32) Smits (14) Jackson (7) The Omni
12,106
3–0
Eastern Conference semifinals: 4–3 (home: 2–1; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1 May 7, 1995 @ New York W 107–105 Smits (34) D. Davis (13) Jackson (7) Madison Square Garden
19,763
1–0
2 May 9, 1995 @ New York L 77–96 D. Davis (13) D. Davis (9) Jackson,
Workman (4)
Madison Square Garden
19,763
1–1
3 May 11, 1995 New York W 97–95 (OT) Miller (26) Miller (11) Jackson (4) Market Square Arena
16,675
2–1
4 May 13, 1995 New York W 98–84 Smits (25) Smits (11) Jackson (11) Market Square Arena
16,678
3–1
5 May 17, 1995 @ New York L 95–96 Smits (28) A. Davis (9) Miller (6) Madison Square Garden
19,763
3–2
6 May 19, 1995 New York L 82–92 Smits (21) A. Davis (8) McKey (6) Market Square Arena
16,679
3–3
7 May 21, 1995 @ New York W 97–95 Miller (29) Jackson (8) Jackson (8) Madison Square Garden
19,763
4–3
Eastern Conference finals: 3–4 (home: 3–0; road: 0–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1 May 23, 1995
7:00 p.m. EST
@ Orlando L 101–105 Miller (26) D. Davis (8) Jackson (7) Orlando Arena
16,010
0–1
2 May 25, 1995
7:00 p.m. EST
@ Orlando L 114–119 Miller (37) D. Davis (13) Smits (6) Orlando Arena
16,010
0–2
3 May 27, 1995
2:30 p.m. EST
Orlando W 105–100 Miller (26) A. Davis (10) Jackson (13) Market Square Arena
16,477
1–2
4 May 29, 1995
2:30 p.m. EST
Orlando W 94–93 Miller (23) Jackson, Smits (7) Smits (7) Market Square Arena
16,477
2–2
5 May 31, 1995
8:00 p.m. EST
@ Orlando L 106–108 Miller, McKey (21) McKey (9) Jackson (11) Orlando Arena
16,010
2–3
6 June 2, 1995
8:00 p.m. EST
Orlando W 123–96 Reggie Miller (36) Smits, D. Davis (10) Mark Jackson (12) Market Square Arena
16,477
3–3
7 June 4, 1995
6:00 p.m. EST
@ Orlando L 81–105 D. Davis (15) D. Davis (14) Jackson (5) Orlando Arena
16,010
3–4
1995 schedule
Close

Player statistics

Regular season

More information Player, POS ...
Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark JacksonPG 82672,4023066161051662429.33.77.51.3.27.6
Derrick McKeySF 81812,805394276125491,07534.64.93.41.5.613.3
Reggie MillerSG 81812,66521024298161,58832.92.63.01.2.219.6
Sam MitchellSF 81121,37724361432052917.03.0.8.5.26.5
Byron ScottPG 8011,528151108611380219.11.91.4.8.210.0
Rik SmitsC 78782,38160111140791,40030.57.71.4.51.017.9
Dale DavisPF 74702,346696587211678631.79.4.81.01.610.6
Haywoode WorkmanPG 69141,02811119459529214.91.62.8.9.14.2
Duane FerrellSF 561607883126623110.81.6.6.5.14.1
Vern FlemingPG 5516868810927125112.51.62.0.5.04.6
Antonio DavisPF 4411,03028025192933523.46.4.6.4.77.6
LaSalle ThompsonC 3834538918181011211.92.3.5.5.32.9
John WilliamsSF 340402622710210011.81.8.8.3.12.9
Greg Kite†C 90611810086.82.0.1.0.0.9
Mark StricklandPF 409400132.31.0.0.0.3.8
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  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Pacers only.

Playoffs

More information Player, POS ...
Player POS GP GS MP REB AST STL BLK PTS MPG RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Reggie MillerSG 1717641613615443437.73.62.1.9.225.5
Derrick McKeySF 17175928164171121734.84.83.81.0.612.8
Mark JacksonPG 17175548912215016832.65.27.2.9.09.9
Rik SmitsC 17175461193451434132.17.02.0.3.820.1
Dale DavisPF 1717490136671413528.88.0.4.4.87.9
Antonio DavisPF 17036797791110121.65.7.4.5.65.9
Byron ScottPG 170298251610110317.51.5.9.6.16.1
Haywoode WorkmanPG 17027528451107716.21.62.6.6.04.5
Sam MitchellSF 170223486316813.12.8.4.2.14.0
Duane FerrellSF 10085111302278.51.11.3.0.22.7
Greg KiteC 8026701043.3.9.0.1.0.5
Vern FlemingPG 308220022.7.7.7.0.0.7
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Awards, records, and honors

Transactions

The Pacers were involved in the following transactions during the 1994–95 season.

Trades

June 30, 1994 To Indiana Pacers
Mark Jackson
Greg Minor
To Los Angeles Clippers
Pooh Richardson
Malik Sealy
Eric Piatkowski

Free agents

Player Transactions Citation:[52]

References

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