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Actual Result: It's the Last Dance, title number 6 for Jordan's Bulls, once again beating the Jazz.
MVP: Michael Jordan
West Semis: Jazz d. Spurs (4-1)
Lakers d. Sonics (4-1)
East Semis: Bulls d. Hornets (4-1)
Pacers d. Knicks (4-1)
Simulation: The last 6 seasons have seen 6 different NBA Champions as parity comes to the NBA. The Jazz will get a chance to defend their titles - they will face the Lakers, reaching their first conference finals in 7 years. The Bulls have played in 5 NBA Finals in the decade, winning 3, they face off against the '94 Champion Pacers.
West Finals: Utah Jazz (62-20) v. Los Angeles Lakers (61-21)
East Finals: Chicago Bulls (62-20) v. Indiana Pacers (58-24)
West Finals Game 1 (Utah) Lakers 111 Jazz 108
The Lakers led by 11 with 3 minutes left and held on for the game 1 win. Shaquille O Neal was unable to clear this hurdle with the Magic, but he scores 28 with 10 rebounds to lead LA here. 24 and 12 for the Mailman, last year's Finals MVP.
West Finals Game 2 (Utah) Lakers 105 Jazz 89
The Lakers havent made the Finals since losing 3 straight from '87-'89, they are two wins away. 32 points and 12 boards for Shaq. 31 and 11 for Malone in the defeat.
West Finals Game 3 (LA) Jazz 106 Lakers 94
The road teams keep winning, Utah cutting the series deficit in half. 33 points and 10 boards for Karl Malone. Shaq went 28 and 12.
West Finals Game 4 (LA) Jazz 97 Lakers 84
Must be something in the water, its 2-2, road teams winning all 4 games. Jeff Hornacek scores 18, leading for Utah. Double/double for Malone. Shaq scores 20 in the loss.
West Finals Game 5 (Utah) Lakers 108 Jazz 89
Improbably, the road run continues, the Lakers go up 3-2. Shaq scores 31 with 12 boards. Eddie Jones scores 20. 20 pts and 17 boards for the Mailman. 20 for John Stockton
West Finals Game 6 (LA) Jazz 104 Lakers 85
6 games - 6 road wins. We head to Salt Lake for game 7. 35 points and 14 boards for Karl Malone. Jeff Hornacek adds 20. 21 and 16 for Shaq in the loss.
Lets do it - winner goes to the NBA Finals.
West Finals Game 7 (Utah) Jazz 108 Lakers 98
The Utah Jazz win back to back Western Conference championships. Karl Malone is series MVP, 33 pts and 14 rebounds. Bryon Russell double/double. Eddie Jones led LA with 23, double/double for Shaq.
East Finals Game 1 (Chi) Pacers 95 Bulls 89
The East Finals start with the road win for the Pacers. Reggie Miller scores 21, a double/double for Rik Smits. Both Jordan and Pippen score 18.
East Finals Game 2 (Chi) Pacers 95 Bulls 75
The Pacers blow out the Bulls and take the 2-0 lead on the road. Rik Smits scores 26. Mark Jackson has a double/double. Scottie Pippen goes for 27 to lead for Chicago.
East Finals Game 3 (Ind) Bulls 103 Pacers 94
1998 has quite the run for the road teams, Chicago wins here. Michael Jordan scores 28, Pippen 23, Luc Longley goes for 22. 21 rebounds for Dennis Rodman. 19 for Smits for the Pacers
East Finals Game 4 (Ind) Bulls 91 Pacers 85
Road, road, road, road. Bulls even the series. Scottie Pippen scores 26. Double/double for MJ. Reggie Miller leads for the Pacers with 22. 21 for Smits.
East Finals Game 5 (Chi) Bulls 108 Pacers 93
The Bulls get the first home win of the series and are a win away from a rematch with the Jazz. 26 pts, 10 rebounds for Jordan. Rik Smits double/double in the loss
East Finals Game 6 (Ind) Pacers 103 Bulls 89
Both conference finals go 7 games. Rik Smits has been the Pacers top player in the series, he goes 21 and 13. Dale Davis double/double. Jordan scores 29.
One more game - who will face Utah in the NBA Finals?
East Finals Game 7 (Chi) Pacers 98 Bulls 95
Rik Smits makes 2 FT with 8 seconds left to give the Pacers a 3 pt lead - and it's Toni Kukoc who wound up with the ball in his hand for an open 3 pointer at the buzzer - he missed and the Bulls are done, the Indiana Pacers are headed to the NBA Finals. 18 for Rik Smits, the series MVP. A game 7 triple/double for Mark Jackson and a Dale Davis double/double. Jordan goes 26 and 10. Double/double for Pippen.
NBA FINALS: UTAH JAZZ v. INDIANA PACERS
The defending champion Jazz look to repeat, once again, led by a now 34 year old Karl Malone, Finals MVP, conference finals MVP two straight years, 2nd in the regular season MVP this year. 27 year old Bryon Russell and 29 year old Greg Foster fill out the frontcourt. Greg Ostertag, Antoine Carr, Chris Morris all in the playoff rotation. 35 year old John Stockton, 34 year old Jeff Hornacek return as the backcourt. Howard Eisley and Shandon Anderson are all in Jerry Sloan's rotation.
Indiana won the NBA Title in '94 and lost in the Finals in '95, this is their third conference title of the decade - Larry Brown was the head coach then - the head coach now, Larry Bird, 6 time NBA Champion, a record 5 time Finals MVP. 32 year old Reggie Miller continues to lead the team, he was Finals MVP 4 years ago and made 3rd team All NBA this year. 32 year old Mark Jackson is the point guard. Travis Best is the third guard. Rik Smits is 31, the Dunking Dutchman made the All Star Team and was conference finals MVP. 28 year old Dale Davis and 34 year old Chris Mullin join him in the frontcourt. Antonio Davis and Derrick McKey are in the rotation
JAZZ
HC-Jerry Sloan
C Greg Foster (29)
PF Karl Malone (34) 2nd MVP
SF Byron Russell (27)
PG John Stockton (35)
SG Jeff Hornacek (34)
C Greg Ostertag (24)
F Antoine Carr (36)
F Chris Morris (32)
G Howard Eisley (25)
G Shandon Anderson (34)
PACERS
HC-Larry Bird
C Rik Smits (31) All Star
PF Dale Davis (28)
SF Chris Mullin (34)
PG Mark Jackson (32)
SG Reggie Miller (32)
F Antonio Davis (29)
F Derrick McKey (31)
F Jalen Rose (25)
G Travis Best (25)
NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Utah) Jazz 100 Pacers 83
Utah rolls in game 1. 20 points and 14 rebounds for Karl Malone, Bird/Jordan/Wilt are the only men with back to back Finals MVP Awards. John Stockton double/double. Chris Mullin led for the Pacers with 19.
NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Utah) Pacers 114 Jazz 91
Indiana evens the series. 24 Reggie Miller points led the way. Chris Mullin scored 23. Rik Smits double/double. The Mailman tallied 18 in the loss
NBA FINALS GAME 3 (Ind) Pacers 97 Jazz 72
Indiana's defense is the story here, Utah held to 72 points, just 29 in the first half. Rik Smits had to pace Indiana. Antonio Davis double/double. Bryon Russell's 15 led for Utah
NBA FINALS GAME 4 (Ind) Pacers 101 Jazz 92
The Indiana Pacers move a game from their 2nd NBA Championship in 4 years. Rik Smits goes 24 and 12. 21 points for Chris Mullin, the veteran so close a his first NBA Championship. Double/double for both Antonio and Dale Davis. Karl Malone is 33 and 14 in the loss.
NBA FINALS GAME 5 (Ind) Jazz 97 Pacers 84
Utah will get to go home for game 6 and a possible game 7. Karl Malone takes over, 42 points and 14 boards. John Stockton double/double. Reggie Miller had 26 in the loss. Dale Davis double/double.
NBA FINALS GAME 6 (Utah) Pacers 117 Jazz 116
90 seconds left, Jazz led by 6. Rik Smits dunk cuts it to 4. Jazz come up empty and with 40 seconds left Mark Jackson drove and scored, 2 point game. Mailman the other way, 12 footer, 30 seconds left, Utah by 4. Pacers miss - quick foul and Malone hits them both. Utah has a 6 point lead with 20 seconds left. This game is clearly over and we are headed for game 7. Rik Smits jumper cuts it to 4, 12 seconds left. Malone again fouled, makes 1, it's a 5 point Utah lead, Reggie Miller hits a 40 footer, 2 point Jazz up 2, 5 seconds left - Mark Jackson steals the inbounds - desperate pass to Mullin - at the buzzer, Chris Mullin hits a triple to win the NBA Championship for the Pacers, the New Yorkers, Jackson and Mullin, coming through with a steal and a three to win the NBA Championship. Reggie Miller scores 33, he wins his second NBA Finals MVP. Mark Jackson had 21 points and 14 assists and one of the signature moments in NBA history. 27 for Smits. Karl Malone scores 30 in the devastating loss. 24 points and 10 assists for Stockton
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)
1996 Chicago Bulls d. Seattle Super Sonics (4-1) MVP Michael Jordan (SG, 32)
1997 Utah Jazz d. Chicago Bulls (4-1) MVP Karl Malone (PF, 33)
1998 Indiana Pacers d. Utah Jazz (4-2) MVP Reggie Miller (SG, 32)
