New York Knicks: Revisiting Rivalry With Indiana Pacers

1999: Knicks def. Pacers, 4-2

Call me biased, if you will, but this is the greatest postseason run in NBA history. The 1998-99 New York Knicks became the first—and to this date, only—team to reach the NBA Finals after entering the playoffs as a No. 8 seed.

In order to achieve that unmatched feat, the Knicks had to get revenge for the 1998 Eastern Conference Semifinals

Game 1, as well as the series in whole, was an instant classic. Patrick Ewing posted 16 points and 10 rebounds as the emotional leader of a Knicks team that left it all on the court during what was a shocking road win.

Game 2 went to Indiana, 88-86, but Larry Johnson answered the call in Game 3 with the iconic 4-point play that gave New York a 92-91 win.

The Pacers won again in Game 4, thus sending the series back to Indiana tied at 2-2. Latrell Sprewell took over with 29 points and Marcus Camby added 21 points and 13 rebounds off the bench as New York took a 3-2 lead, however, and gave itself a chance to reach the NBA Finals.

With an injured Ewing forced to sit and watch his team play, Allan Houston etched his name into Knicks history by scoring 32 points and leading the Knicks to a 90-82 to win in the deciding Game 6.

It cannot be stated enough: the 1998-99 Knicks are the only No. 8 seed in league history to reach the NBA Finals.