The 1999 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1998-99 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks 4 games to 1. Tim Duncan was named NBA Finals MVP.
The 1999 Playoffs are memorable in that a #8 seed (the Knicks) made it to the Finals for the only time in history, and that it came after a lockout-shortened 50-game season. This was also the first time that two teams played each other on consecutive nights in playoff history. It also featured the Philadelphia 76ers' and Milwaukee Bucks' first trip to the playoffs since 1991 (coincidentally they faced each other in the opening round that year), and it was also the 76ers' first appearance since drafting Allen Iverson with the #1 overall pick in 1996. Iverson later led the Sixers to the 2001 NBA Finals. The Bulls, despite being defending champions, missed the playoffs for the first time since 1984 (mostly due to the second retirement of Michael Jordan and the departures of Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman). They also became the first defending champion since the 1969–70 Boston Celtics to miss the playoffs.
Although the Spurs had home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, they played more road games (9) than home games (8), as all their series were won on the road, which included back-to-back sweeps of the Lakers and Blazers (who would meet in next year's West Finals). They won 12 straight games, and finished 15–2.
After losing their Eastern Conference Semifinal series to the Knicks, the Hawks did not return to the playoffs until 2008.
Game 4 of the Spurs–Lakers series was the last NBA game ever played in the Great Western Forum.
Game 5 of the Knicks–Pacers series was the last NBA game ever played at Market Square Arena.
For the first time since 1991, no series went seven games.
After spending their first 13 seasons in mediocrity (two playoff appearances in 1986 and 1996), the Sacramento Kings made the first of eight consecutive playoff appearances in eight seasons, which included a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2002.
Game 4 of the Lakers–Rockets series turned out to be the final postseason appearance in Charles Barkley's Hall of Fame career.
Champion: San Antonio Spurs
1st Round
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) Minnesota Timberwolves: Spurs win series 3-1
Game 1 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 9): San Antonio 99, Minnesota 86
Game 2 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 11): Minnesota 80, San Antonio 71
Game 3 @ Target Center, Minneapolis (May 13): San Antonio 85, Minnesota 71
Game 4 @ Target Center, Minneapolis (May 15): San Antonio 92, Minnesota 85
This was the first playoff meeting between the Timberwolves and the Spurs.
(2) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (7) Phoenix Suns: Blazers win series 3-0
Game 1 @ Rose Garden Arena, Portland (May 8): Portland 95, Phoenix 85
Game 2 @ Rose Garden Arena, Portland (May 10): Portland 110, Phoenix 99
Game 3 @ America West Arena, Phoenix (May 12): Portland 103, Phoenix 93
This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Suns winning three of the first five meetings.
(3) Utah Jazz vs. (6) Sacramento Kings: Jazz win series 3-2
Game 1 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 8): Utah 117, Sacramento 87
Game 2 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 10): Sacramento 101, Utah 90
Game 3 @ ARCO Arena, Sacramento (May 12): Sacramento 84, Utah 81 (OT)
Game 4 @ ARCO Arena, Sacramento (May 14): Utah 90, Sacramento 89 (John Stockton hits the game winner with 7 tenths left.)
Game 5 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 16): Utah 99, Sacramento 92 (OT)
This was the first playoff meeting between the Kings and the Jazz.
(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets: Lakers win series 3-1
Game 1 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (May 9): Los Angeles 101, Houston 100 (Kobe Bryant makes the game-winning free-throws with 5 seconds left; Shaquille O'Neal blocks Cuttino Mobley at the buzzer)
Game 2 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (May 11): Los Angeles 110, Houston 98
Game 3 @ Compaq Center, Houston (May 13): Houston 102, Los Angeles 88
Game 4 @ Compaq Center, Houston (May 15): Los Angeles 98, Houston 88
This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Rockets winning three of the first five meetings.
Conference Semifinals
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (4) Los Angeles Lakers: Spurs win series 4-0
Game 1 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 17): San Antonio 87, Los Angeles 81
Game 2 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 19): San Antonio 79, Los Angeles 76
Game 3 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (May 22): San Antonio 103, Los Angeles 91
Game 4 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (May 23): San Antonio 118, Los Angeles 107
This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning four of the first five meetings.
(2) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (3) Utah Jazz: Blazers win series 4-2
Game 1 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 18): Utah 93, Portland 83
Game 2 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 20): Portland 84, Utah 81
Game 3 @ Rose Garden Arena, Portland (May 22): Portland 97, Utah 87
Game 4 @ Rose Garden Arena, Portland (May 23): Portland 81, Utah 75
Game 5 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 25): Utah 88, Portland 71
Game 6 @ Rose Garden Arena, Portland (May 27): Portland 92, Utah 80
This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning two series apiece.
Conference Finals
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (2) Portland Trail Blazers: Spurs win series 4-0
Game 1 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 29): San Antonio 80, Portland 76
Game 2 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 31): San Antonio 86, Portland 85 (The Memorial Day Miracle: Sean Elliott makes the game-winning 3 with 9 seconds left.)
Game 3 @ Rose Garden Arena, Portland (June 4): San Antonio 85, Portland 63
Game 4 @ Rose Garden Arena, Portland (June 6): San Antonio 94, Portland 80
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece
Champion: New York Knicks
1st Round
(1) Miami Heat vs. (8) New York Knicks: Knicks win series 3-2
Game 1 @ Miami Arena, Miami (May 8): New York 95, Miami 75
Game 2 @ Miami Arena, Miami (May 10): Miami 83, New York 73
Game 3 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 12): New York 97, Miami 73
Game 4 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 14): Miami 87, New York 72
Game 5 @ Miami Arena, Miami (May 16): New York 78, Miami 77 (Allan Houston hits the series-winning jumper with 8 tenths left.)
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.
(2) Indiana Pacers vs. (7) Milwaukee Bucks: Pacers win series 3-0
Game 1 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 9): Indiana 110, Milwaukee 88
Game 2 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 11): Indiana 108, Milwaukee 107 (OT) (Dale Davis tips in the game winner with 5 tenths left in OT)
Game 3 @ Bradley Center, Milwaukee (May 13): Indiana 99, Milwaukee 91
This was the first playoff meeting between the Pacers and the Bucks.
(3) Orlando Magic vs. (6) Philadelphia 76ers: 76ers win series 3-1
Game 1 @ Orlando Arena, Orlando (May 9): Philadelphia 104, Orlando 90
Game 2 @ Orlando Arena, Orlando (May 11): Orlando 79, Philadelphia 68
Game 3 @ First Union Center, Philadelphia (May 13): Philadelphia 97, Orlando 85
Game 4 @ First Union Center, Philadelphia (May 15): Philadelphia 101, Orlando 91
This was the first playoff meeting between the Magic and the 76ers.
(4) Atlanta Hawks vs. (5) Detroit Pistons: Hawks win series 3-2
Game 1 @ Georgia Dome, Atlanta (May 8): Atlanta 90, Detroit 70
Game 2 @ Georgia Dome, Atlanta (May 10): Atlanta 89, Detroit 69
Game 3 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (May 12): Detroit 79, Atlanta 63
Game 4 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (May 14): Detroit 103, Atlanta 82
Game 5 @ Alexander Memorial Coliseum, Atlanta (May 16): Atlanta 87, Detroit 75 (Joe Dumars' final NBA game)
This was the eighth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Hawks winning four of the first seven meetings.
Conference Semifinals
(2) Indiana Pacers vs. (6) Philadelphia 76ers: Pacers win series 4-0
Game 1 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 17): Indiana 94, Philadelphia 90
Game 2 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 19): Indiana 85, Philadelphia 82
Game 3 @ First Union Center, Philadelphia (May 21): Indiana 97, Philadelphia 86
Game 4 @ First Union Center, Philadelphia (May 23): Indiana 89, Philadelphia 86
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers winning the first meeting.
(4) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) New York Knicks: Knicks win series 4-0
Game 1 @ Georgia Dome, Atlanta (May 18): New York 100, Atlanta 92
Game 2 @ Georgia Dome, Atlanta (May 20): New York 77, Atlanta 70
Game 3 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 23): New York 90, Atlanta 78
Game 4 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 24): New York 79, Atlanta 66
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first meeting.
Conference Finals
(2) Indiana Pacers vs. (8) New York Knicks: Knicks win series 4-2
Game 1 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 30): New York 93, Indiana 90
Game 2 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (June 1): Indiana 88, New York 86 (Reggie Miller hits the game winning free throws with 4 seconds left).
Game 3 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (June 5): New York 92, Indiana 91 (Larry Johnson's game-winning 4-point play with 5.7 seconds left.)
Game 4 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (June 7): Indiana 90, New York 78
Game 5 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (June 9): New York 101, Indiana 94
Game 6 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (June 11): New York 90, Indiana 82
This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning two series apiece.
(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (8) New York Knicks: Spurs win series 4-1
Game 1 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (June 16): San Antonio 89, New York 77
Game 2 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (June 18): San Antonio 80, New York 67
Game 3 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (June 21): New York 89, San Antonio 81
Game 4 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (June 23): San Antonio 96, New York 89
Game 5 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (June 25): San Antonio 78, New York 77 (Avery Johnson hits the title-winning shot with 47 seconds left.)
Neither team met in the regular season.
This was the first playoff meeting between the Knicks and the Spurs.
