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Actual Result: Back to back titles for Hakeem and the Rockets, they go over Shaq and the Magic in the Finals.
MVP: David Robinson
East Semis: Pacers d. Knicks (4-3)
Magic d. Bulls (4-2)
West Semis: Rockets d. Suns (4-3)
Spurs d Lakers (4-2)
Simulation: There is a back to back possibility, but it's not the Rockets, its the Pacers, they head back to the conference finals, this time to face the Orlando Magic; Orlando was an expansion team in 1990, just 6 years later they find themselves one step from the NBA Finals. The Rockets lost in last year's Finals and they are back; from '79-'83 the Spurs lost 3 conference finals and a dozen years later they are still looking for their first NBA Finals appearance.
East Finals Orlando Magic (57-25) v. Indiana Pacers (52-30)
West Finals San Antonio Spurs (62-20) v. Houston Rockets (47-35)
East Finals Game 1 (Orl) Pacers 106 Magic 86
The Pacers are 3 games from a return to the NBA Finals. 24 for last year's NBA Finals MVP, 23 and 11 for Shaq in the loss.
East Finals Game 2 (Orl) Pacers 119 Magic 97
Indiana takes both games 1-2 on the road. Reggie Miller scores 32. Rik Smits adds 27. Derrick McKey, Dale Davis, Antonio Davis all double/double. Shaq is 27 and 14. Penny Hardaway scores 21.
East Finals Game 3 (Ind) Pacers 96 Magic 81
The Pacers are rolling right back to another Eastern conference title; 22 for Reggie Miller, double/double for Antonio Davis. Shaq scores 21 in the loss, Nick Anderson double/double.
East Finals Game 4 (Ind) Pacers 108 Magic 99
It's a sweep, the Indiana Pacers head back to the NBA Finals, looking to defend their title. Derrick McKey won back to back titles with two different teams and he scored 26 to lead the way. 24 and 11 for Rik Smits. Reggie Miller scored 21 and is the series MVP. Dale Davis double/double. Penny scores 25 in the loss. Double/double for Horace Grant.
West Finals Game 1 (SA) Spurs 110 Rockets 96
San Antonio is 3 wins from their first ever NBA Finals appearance. The Admiral scores 31 in the big head to head matchup with Olajuwon. 22 for Sean Elliott, a 20 rebound, 12 point performance for Dennis Rodman. Avery Johnson double/double. 22 and 12 for Olajuwon. 21 for Clyde Drexler; this Rocket team lost the NBA Finals last year - Clyde lost in back to back seasons early in the decade.
West Finals Game 2 (SA) Rockets 112 Spurs 108 (OT)
Game 2 in the All Texas West Finals goes to the Rockets; Clyde scores 38 with 10 boards. 28 and 15 for Olajuwon. David Robinson goes 28 and 11 in the loss. Rodman double/double.
West Finals Game 3 (Hou) Rockets 104 Spurs 87
Houston is 2 wins from a Finals rematch with the Pacers. Hakeem Olajuwon dominates, 42 pts and 12 rebounds. The Admiral goes 22 and 15 in the loss.
West Finals Game 4 (Hou) Spurs 100 Rockets 87
San Antonio squares the series at 2. An all time great Dennis Rodman performance with 31 rebounds. 28 pts for Sean Elliott. David Robinson double/double. Robert Horry with 25 for the Rockets. Double/double for Olajuwon.
West Finals Game 5 (SA) Spurs 105 Rockets 93
The Spurs win game 5 and go up 3 games to 2. 30 pts and 18 rebounds for David Robinson. Avery Johnson double/double. 22 and 16 for Olajuwon in the loss.
West Finals Game 6 (Hou) Rockets 109 Spurs 99
The East was a 4 game sweep by the Pacers, the West goes all 7 games. 26 pts, 14 rebounds for Hakeem Olajuwon. 21 and 11 for Clyde Drexler, Sam Cassell double/double. 23 and 17 for Robinson in the loss. Rodman and Avery Johnson double/double.
Lets do it - back to San Antonio for Game 7
West Finals Game 7 (SA) Rockets 99 Spurs 90
The Rockets go on the road and beat the Spurs, winning the West again and they get their rematch, heading to the NBA Finals to face the champion Pacers. 27 points and 13 rebounds for the series MVP Hakeem Olajuwon. 20 and 14 for Clyde. Robert Horry double/double. The Admiral went 26 and 12, 24 rebounds for Rodman, Avery Johnson double/double.
NBA FINALS: INDIANA PACERS v. HOUSTON ROCKETS
Same Matchup in Back to Back Seasons:
1957-1958: Celtics v. Hawks
1960-1961: Celtics v. Hawks
1969-1970: Lakers v. Knicks
1972-1973: Lakers v. Celtics
1987-1988: Celtics v. Lakers
For the 6th time in NBA history, we run the prior year's NBA Finals back
PACERS
HC-Larry Brown
C-Rik Smits (28)
PF-Dale Davis (25)
SF-Derrick McKey (28) 2nd Team All Defense
PG-Mark Jackson (29)
SG-Reggie Miller (28) 3rd Team All NBA
F-Antonio Davis (26)
F-Sam Mitchell (31)
PG-Haywoode Workman (29)
G-Byron Scott (33)
The defending champion Pacers bring back last year's team with the addition of a new point guard, 29 year old Mark Jackson.
ROCKETS
HC-Rudy Tomjanovich
C-Hakeem Olajuwon (32) 5th MVP
PF-Robert Horry (24)
SF-Mario Elie (31)
PG-Kenny Smith (29)
SG Clyde Drexler (32) 3rd Team All NBA
F-Charles Jones (37)
F-Chuckie Brown (26)
G-Sam Cassell (25)
The headline is a huge Valentine's Day trade that brought 32 year old Clyde Drexler to play with his college teammate Olajuwon. Both men 0-2 in the NBA Finals now joining together to make this run. Mario Elie is the only other remaining member of the '86 team that lost the Finals and he moved into the starting lineup in the conference Finals, the Rockets going small.
NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Ind) Rockets 100 Pacers 91
The Rockets take game 1 on the road. The Pacers have no answer for Hakeem, 32 and 12. 20 and 12 for Drexler, 20 points for Kenny Smith. Reggie Miller scores 18 for Indiana.
NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Ind) Rockets 95 Pacers 94
Reggie Miller hits a game tying 3 with 8 seconds left, Olajuwon is fouled at the buzzer...he misses the first FT...but sinks the second and the Rockets take both on the road. 29 and 10 for Hakeem. 20 for both Drexler and Robert Horry. Miller had 17, Rik Smits double/double.
NBA FINALS GAME 3 (Hou) Rockets 104 Pacers 86
The Houston Rockets go up 3-0 and are a game from their first NBA Title. 21 each for Horry and Olajuwon, Drexler double/double. 23 for Reggie Miller in the loss. Double/double for Rik Smits and Dale Davis.
NBA FINALS GAME 4 (Hou) Rockets 122 Pacers 88
The 6th sweep in NBA Finals history. 35 points, 12 rebounds for Finals MVP Hakeem Olajuwon. Clyde Drexler scored 22. 15 for Mark Jackson, he's the high man for the Pacers. Double/double for Smits and Dale Davis
NBA Finals History
1947 (BAA): Philadelphia Warriors d. Chicago Stags (4-1)
1948 (BAA): Baltimore Bullets d. Philadelphia Warriors (4-2)
1949 (BAA): Minneapolis Lakers d. Washington Capitols (4-2)
1950: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2)
1951: Rochester Royals d. New York Knicks (4-3)
1952: Rochester Royals d. Syracuse Nationals (4-3) - MVP: Jack Coleman (PF 27 yrs)
1953: Boston Celtics d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-3) - MVP: Bob Cousy (PG, 24)Back
1954: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2) - MVP: George Mikan (C, 29)
1955: Minneapolis Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) - MVP: Clyde Lovellette (C, 25)
1956: Philadelphia Warriors d. St Louis Hawks (4-0) - MVP: Neil Johnston (C, 26)
1957: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-2) - MVP Bob Pettit (C, 24)
1958: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-1) - MVP Bob Cousy (PG, 29)
1959: Syracuse Nationals d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-1) - MVP Dolph Schayes (PF, 30)
1950s Playoffs All NBA
1st Team
C George Mikan (Lakers)
F Bob Pettit (Hawks) - Playoff Player of the Decade
F Dolph Schayes (Nationals)
G Bob Cousy (Lakers)
G Bill Sharman (Lakers)
2nd Team
C Bill Russell (Lakers)
F Neil Johnston (Warriors)
F Clyde Lovellette (Lakers)
G Slater Martin (Lakers/Hawks)
G Paul Seymour (Nationals)
1960: St Louis Hawks d. Boston Celtics (4-2) - MVP Bob Pettit (PF, 27)
1961: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-0) - MVP Bill Russell (C, 26)
1962: Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 27)
1963: Cincinnati Royals d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Oscar Robertson (PG, 24)
1964: San Francisco Warriors d. Cincinnati Royals (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 27)
1965 Philadelphia 76ers d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 28)
1966 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 31)
1967 Philadelphia 76ers d. San Francisco Warriors (4-2) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 30)
1968 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 33)
1969 Los Angeles Lakers d. New York Knicks (4-1) MVP Jerry West (SG, 30)
1960s Playoffs All NBA
1st Team
C Wilt Chamberlain (Warriors/Sixers/Lakers) Playoff Player of the Decade
F Elgin Baylor (Lakers)
F John Havlicek (Celtics)
G Jerry West (Lakers)
G Sam Jones (Celtics)
2nd Team
C Bill Russell (Celtics)
F Bob Pettit (Hawks)
F Chet Walker (Sixers)
G Oscar Robertson (Royals)
G Hal Greer (Sixers)
1970 Los Angeles Lakers d. New York Knicks (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 33)
1971 Milwaukee Bucks d. New York Knicks (4-3) MVP Kareem Abdul Jabbar (C, 23)
1972 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) MVP Jerry West (PG, 33)
1973 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-1) MVP Jim McMillan (SF 24)
1974 Boston Celtics d. Chicago Bulls (4-0) MVP John Havlicek (SF 33)
1975 Washington Bullets d. Chicago Bulls (4-0) MVP Elvin Hayes (PF, 29)
1976 Phoenix Suns d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Paul Westphal (PG, 25)
1977 Philadelphia 76ers d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-3) MVP Julius Erving (SF, 26)
1978 Philadelphia 76ers d. Denver Nuggets (4-2) MVP Doug Collins (SG, 26)
1979 Seattle SuperSonics d. Washington Bullets (4-3) MVP Dennis Johnson (SG, 24)
1970s Playoffs All NBA
1st Team
C Wilt Chamberlain (Lakers)
F John Havlicek (Celtics)
F Julius Erving (Sixers)
G Jerry West (Lakers) Playoff Player of the Decade
G Jo Jo White (Celtics)
2nd Team
C Dave Cowens (Celtics)
F Elvin Hayes (Bullets)
F Bob Dandridge (Bullets)
G Doug Collins (Sixers)
G Walt Frazier (Knicks)
1980 Boston Celtics d. Seattle SuperSonics (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 23)
1981 Boston Celtics d. Kansas City Kings (4-0) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 24)
1982 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 25)
1983 Philadelphia 76ers d.LA Lakers(4-3) MVP Moses Malone C 27/Julius Erving(SF 32)
1984 Los Angeles Lakers d. Milwaukee Bucks (4-3) MVP Kareem Abdul Jabbar (C, 36)
1985 Los Angeles Lakers d. Philadelphia 76ers (4-2) MVP Magic Johnson (PG, 25)
1986 Boston Celtics d. Houston Rockets (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (SF, 29)
1987 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Kevin McHale (PF, 29)
1988 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (SF, 31)
1989 Detroit Pistons d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-2) MVP Isiah Thomas (PG, 27)
1980s Playoffs All NBA
1st Team
C Kareem Abdul Jabbar (Lakers)
PF Kevin McHale (Celtics)
SF Larry Bird (Celtics)- Playoff Player of the Decade
PG Magic Johnson (Lakers)
SG Sidney Moncrief (Bucks)
2nd Team
C Robert Parish (Celtics)
PF Marques Johnson (Bucks)
SF Julius Erving (Sixers)
PG Dennis Johnson (Celtics)
SG Byron Scott (Lakers)
1990 Chicago Bulls d. Phoenix Suns (4-3) MVP Michael Jordan (SG, 26)
1991 Chicago Bulls d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-1) MVP Michael Jordan (SG, 27)
1992 Cleveland Cavaliers d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-2) MVP Mark Price (PG, 27)
1993 Seattle Super Sonics d. Chicago Bulls (4-2) MVP Shawn Kemp (PF, 23)
1994 Indiana Pacers d. Houston Rockets (4-1) MVP Reggie Miller (SG, 28)
1995 Houston Rockets d. Indiana Pacers (4-0) MVP Hakeem Olajuwon (C, 32)
