Puneet Varma (Editor)

1997–98 Indiana Pacers season

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Head coach
  
General manager
  
Record
  
58–24 (.707)

Place
  
Division: 2nd (Central)Conference: 3rd (Eastern)

Playoff finish
  
Lost to Chicago Bulls in Eastern Conference Finals (3-4)

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Pacers' 22nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 31st season as a franchise. It was also Larry Bird's first year as head coach. During the offseason, the Pacers acquired All-Star forward Chris Mullin from the Golden State Warriors. The team struggled early in the season losing five of their first seven games, but then won 15 of their next 18 games. The Pacers won nine of their final eleven games, and returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence finishing second in the Central Division with a 58–24 record. Reggie Miller, Rik Smits and coach Bird represented the Eastern Conference during the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. It was Smits' only All-Star appearance. Bird was also named Coach of The Year.

Contents

In the playoffs, the Pacers would defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers three games to one in the first round, then defeat the 7th-seeded New York Knicks four games to one in the semifinals. However, in the Eastern Conference Finals, they would lose in seven games to the Chicago Bulls in a hard fought series. Following the season, Haywoode Workman who missed the entire season due to injury was released, and would sign as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks during the next season.

For the season, the team sported new pinstripe uniforms, which would remain in use until 2005.

Roster Notes

  • Guard Haywoode Workman missed the entire season due to an injury.
  • Season standings

    z - clinched division titley - clinched division titlex - clinched playoff spot

    East First Round

    (3) Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Cleveland Cavaliers Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Pacers and Cavaliers.

    East Conference Semifinals

    (3) Indiana Pacers vs. (7) New York Knicks Last Playoff Meeting: 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Indiana won 4-3)

    East Conference Finals

    (1) Chicago Bulls vs. (3) Indiana Pacers Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Bulls and Pacers.

    Player stats

    Note: GP= Games played; REB= Rebounds; AST= Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; AVG = Average

    Season

  • Starters in BOLD
  • Awards

  • Larry Bird, NBA Coach of the Year Award
  • Larry Bird, All-Star East Head Coach
  • Reggie Miller, NBA All-Star Game
  • Rik Smits, NBA All-Star Game
  • Reggie Miller, All-NBA Third Team
  • References

    1997–98 Indiana Pacers season Wikipedia


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