[6] The team finished first place in the Central Division with a 56–26 record, highlighted by a franchise-best 25-game winning streak at home,[7] which was worthy of the Eastern Conference first seed in the playoffs, guaranteed home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and an all-time franchise best win–loss record.
[8] Jalen Rose, who played the previous three seasons off the Pacers' bench, became the team's starting small forward replacing Chris Mullin in the lineup, averaging 18.2 points and 4.0 assists per game, and was named Most Improved Player of the Year.
[47][48] Roster Last transaction: 1999-10-31 The Pacers began a new era by moving into Conseco Fieldhouse after 25 years at Market Square Arena.
Twenty-four days after being swept by the eventual league champion, the Lakers signed Phil Jackson as head coach.
Jackson, famous for coaching Michael Jordan and the six-time champion Chicago Bulls, would build his triangle offense around Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.
general manager Jerry West surrounded O'Neal and Bryant with effective role players such as Glen Rice, Ron Harper (who had experience with Jackson's triangle offense as part of the '96–'98 Bulls),[51] and A.C. Green (member of the last two Lakers championship teams).
[59] The Trail Blazers stormed back in the next game, giving the Lakers their worst home loss of the season in a 106–77 shellacking.
[62][63] Amid several controversial foul calls by referee Dick Bavetta against members of the Trail Blazers,[64] Portland relinquished a 75–60 fourth quarter lead.
[68] The 1998–1999 NBA season began with a lockout but saw Indiana return to the Eastern Conference finals, where they fell to the New York Knicks.
The Pacers started the season 7–7 but eventually finished with an Eastern Conference best 56–26 record, including a franchise-best 25 game win streak at home.
[75] The Pacers would face their rival Knicks,[76] winning a memorable six-game series in a reversal of fortunes from years past.
However, Los Angeles suffered a major setback when Kobe Bryant left the game in the 2nd quarter due to a sprained ankle and did not return.
Jalen Rose later admitted that he intentionally stuck out his foot when Kobe shot a jumpshot in order to trip him when he landed.
Taking advantage of Kobe Bryant's ankle injury, Indiana restored a semblance of parity to the proceedings.
The Lakers were desperate and attempted another run to get within 3 points, but Reggie Miller nailed all his free throws at the end of the game to give Indiana a 9-point win.
Even though Bryant and O'Neal were in foul trouble in the first half (each picking up his third with 5 minutes remaining in the second quarter), Indiana could not take advantage and did not extend their lead.
Midway through overtime, O'Neal committed his sixth foul but 21-year-old Bryant delivered three clutch shots, as the Lakers were able to overcome back-up center John Salley's inability to effectively defend Smits.
After the two teams traded blows in the first quarter, Mark Jackson concluded the period with a turn-around half-court shot at the buzzer to give the Pacers a 26–24 advantage.
Indiana, however, added two more points to their lead, and entered the final period in a position to force a decisive seventh game.
The Pacers made one final valiant effort, but it fell short and the Lakers clinched their first championship in twelve years.