Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller 's most iconic game ever will always be that time when he scored eight points in nine minutes against his rival, the New York Knicks, to secure the victory in Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
It was a career-defining moment for the sharpshooter, especially given that it was against a Knicks team that had beaten him two straight years before this moment.
" Well, obviously, when you're in the moment, you don't think about that stuff, like whether it was the greatest, but now that I have a chance to reflect back on it, you know, I don't think I could duplicate that same feat if I was in a gym by myself. For me, and especially when I played, it was all about being in the moment ," Miller told SLAM's Tony Gervino in 2010.
Reggie is the Indy legend
Miller's legendary 8 points in 9 seconds performance shifted the rivalry in favor of the Pacers . As mentioned above, the Knicks had Indiana's number in the past two years, and when it felt like New York was going to steal Game 1 in the 1995 Semis, the five-time All-Star miraculously didn't make that happen.
Thanks to this moment, the Indy gained enough confidence and momentum to finally defeat their rivals in a tight-knit seven-game series. Miller, who tallied 31 points, five rebounds, and four assists in this game, even delivered one of the most iconic post-game interviews in Pacers history.
"Mason choked, he threw it to me, I hit a three...John Starks choked, we came up big," a euphoric Miller recalled , then closed the interview by exclaiming, "We feel we can sweep this team. This is for you, Indiana!"
After winning the 1995 Semis series, the Pacers ended up defeating the Knicks again in the playoffs in 1998, 1999, and 2000.
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Miller hated the Knicks' guts
If Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had to deal with the Detroit "Bad Boy" Pistons, it was Patrick Ewing 's Knicks for Miller and the Pacers. Led by head coach Pat Riley, the Big Apple team played with a physicality that the Pacers couldn't match in their early battles. Aside from their playing style, Reg was just not a fan of how the NY squad carried themselves.
"They always think they're bigger and badder than everyone," Miller said , as reported by ESPN. "And we know they don't give us any respect. So why should I give respect or like someone that doesn't give us respect?"
After Miller's legendary 8 points in 9 seconds, which helped him and the Pacers win the series against the Knicks, they earned their rivals' respect and brought fear into their eyes.
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