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1995–96 Indiana Pacers season

NBA professional basketball team season


NBA professional basketball team season

(lost to Hawks 2–3) Prime Sports Midwest

The 1995–96 Indiana Pacers season was the 20th season for the Indiana Pacers in the National Basketball Association, and their 29th season as a franchise. During the off-season, the Pacers signed free agents Ricky Pierce and Eddie Johnson. The team struggled with a 6–8 start to the regular season, as Rik Smits missed 19 games with an ankle injury. The Pacers were also involved in a brawl in a 119–95 home loss to the Sacramento Kings on November 10, 1995, with a total of 16 players, eight from each team suspended.

However, the Pacers posted a 14–2 record in January, held a 31–16 record at the All-Star break, and later on won eight of their final nine games of the regular season. The team finished in second place in the Central Division with a 52–30 record, which was the same record as the previous season, and earned the third seed in the Eastern Conference; they also qualified for the NBA playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.

Reggie Miller led the Pacers in scoring averaging 21.1 points per game, led them with 168 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while Smits averaged 18.5 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. In addition, Derrick McKey provided the team with 11.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Dale Davis provided with 10.3 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, and Mark Jackson contributed 10.0 points and 7.8 assists per game. Off the bench, Pierce contributed 9.7 points per game, while sixth man Antonio Davis averaged 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, Johnson contributed 7.7 points per game, and Haywood Workman provided with 3.6 points and 2.8 assists per game.

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Miller was selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team. The Pacers were also the only team in the league to beat the Chicago Bulls twice during their historic 72–10 season, with a 103–97 home win at the Market Square Arena on December 26, 1995, and a 100–99 road win at the United Center on April 20, 1996. However, during the final month of the regular season, Miller suffered an eye socket injury.

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1996 NBA playoffs, and for the third consecutive year, the Pacers faced off against the 6th–seeded Atlanta Hawks, a team that featured Steve Smith, Mookie Blaylock and Grant Long; without Miller, the Pacers used Pierce as their starting shooting guard in his absence. With the series tied at 2–2, Miller returned to play in Game 5 scoring 29 points, while wearing protective eye goggles; however, the Pacers lost to the Hawks at home, 89–87 at the Market Square Arena, thus losing in a hard-fought five-game series.

The Pacers finished 17th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 673,967 at the Market Square Arena during the regular season. Following the season, Jackson and Pierce were both traded to the Denver Nuggets.

Offseason

Draft picks

Main article: 1995 NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
123Travis BestPGUnited StatesGeorgia Tech
252Fred HoibergSGUnited StatesIowa State

Roster

  • Larry Brown
  • Herb Brown
  • Gar Heard
  • Billy King

Regular season

Season standings

:z – clinched division title :y – clinched division title :x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

Regular season

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | November 3, 1995 | @ Atlanta | W 111–106 | | | | The Omni | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | November 4, 1995 | Toronto | W 97–89 | | | | Market Square Arena | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | November 7, 1995 | @ Cleveland | W 104–101 | | | | Gund Arena | 3–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | November 9, 1995 | @ New York | L 95–103 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 3–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | November 10, 1995 | Sacramento | L 95–119 | | | | Market Square Arena | 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | November 15, 1995 | @ Miami | W 103–97 | | | | Miami Arena | 4–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 7 | November 16, 1995 | @ Orlando | L 80–89 | | | | Orlando Arena | 4–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 8 | November 18, 1995 | Seattle | W 118–104 | | | | Market Square Arena | 5–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 9 | November 23, 1995 | Houston | L 108–115 | | | | Market Square Arena | 5–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 10 | November 24, 1995 | Cleveland | L 93–100 | | | | Market Square Arena | 5–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 11 | November 28, 1995 | @ Seattle | W 102–101 | | | | KeyArena | 6–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 12 | November 30, 1995 | @ Sacramento | L 95–105 | | | | ARCO Arena | 6–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 13 | December 2, 1995 | @ Golden State | L 97–100 | | | | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 6–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 14 | December 3, 1995 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 96–104 | | | | Great Western Forum | 6–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 15 | December 5, 1995 | Philadelphia | W 108–91 | | | | Market Square Arena | 7–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 16 | December 8, 1995 | @ New Jersey | L 89–91 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 7–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 17 | December 10, 1995 | L.A. Clippers | W 111–104 | | | | Market Square Arena | 8–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 18 | December 12, 1995 | Denver | W 125–92 | | | | Market Square Arena | 9–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 19 | December 14, 1995 | @ Toronto | W 102–100 | | | | SkyDome | 10–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 20 | December 15, 1995 | Milwaukee | W 112–95 | | | | Market Square Arena | 11–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 21 | December 17, 1995 | @ Milwaukee | L 80–84 | | | | Bradley Center | 11–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 22 | December 20, 1995 | L.A. Lakers | W 109–98 | | | | Market Square Arena | 12–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 23 | December 22, 1995 | Dallas | W 90–79 | | | | Market Square Arena | 13–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 24 | December 23, 1995 | @ Cleveland | L 96–97 | | | | Gund Arena | 13–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 25 | December 26, 1995 | Chicago | W 103–97 | | | | Market Square Arena | 14–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 26 | December 28, 1995 | Miami | W 91–77 | | | | Market Square Arena | 15–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 27 | December 29, 1995 | @ Chicago | L 93–120 | | | | United Center | 15–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 28 | January 2, 1996 | @ Denver | W 102–87 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 16–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 29 | January 3, 1996 | @ L.A. Clippers | W 110–94 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 17–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 30 | January 5, 1996 | @ San Antonio | W 105–92 | | | | Alamodome | 18–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 31 | January 6, 1996 | @ Houston | L 87–99 | | | | The Summit | 18–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 32 | January 9, 1996 | @ Dallas | W 91–84 | | | | Reunion Arena | 19–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 33 | January 11, 1996 | Milwaukee | W 96–88 | | | | Market Square Arena | 20–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 34 | January 13, 1996 | Minnesota | W 103–94 | | | | Market Square Arena | 21–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 35 | January 16, 1996 | @ Toronto | W 110–102 | | | | SkyDome | 22–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 36 | January 17, 1996 | @ Atlanta | L 93–102 | | | | The Omni | 22–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 37 | January 19, 1996 | Detroit | W 89–81 | | | | Market Square Arena | 23–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 38 | January 21, 1996 | Washington | W 106–96 | | | | Market Square Arena | 24–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 39 | January 23, 1996 | Phoenix | W 117–102 | | | | Market Square Arena | 25–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 40 | January 24, 1996 | @ Milwaukee | W 97–89 | | | | Bradley Center | 26–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 41 | January 26, 1996 | @ Boston | W 107–90 | | | | FleetCenter | 27–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 42 | January 27, 1996 | Orlando | W 102–79 | | | | Market Square Arena | 28–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 43 | January 30, 1996 | Atlanta | W 107–90 | | | | Market Square Arena | 29–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 44 | February 1, 1996 | @ Detroit | L 70–87 | | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 29–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 45 | February 2, 1996 | Boston | W 116–108 | | | | Market Square Arena | 30–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 46 | February 4, 1996 | New York | W 90–83 | | | | Market Square Arena | 31–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 47 | February 7, 1996 | @ Philadelphia | L 101–102 | | | | CoreStates Spectrum | 31–16 |- align="center" |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 48 | February 13, 1996 | New Jersey | L 92–101 | | | | Market Square Arena | 31–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 49 | February 14, 1996 | @ New Jersey | L 87–88 | | | | Continental Airlines Arena | 31–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 50 | February 16, 1996 | @ Washington (at Baltimore, MD) | W 95–94 | | | | Baltimore Arena | 32–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 51 | February 18, 1996 | Chicago | L 102–110 | | | | Market Square Arena | 32–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 52 | February 21, 1996 | Orlando | L 97–99 | | | | Market Square Arena | 32–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 53 | February 23, 1996 | Philadelphia | W 102–95 | | | | Market Square Arena | 33–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 54 | February 24, 1996 | @ Charlotte | W 104–90 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 34–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 55 | February 26, 1996 | @ Boston | W 122–119 (OT) | | | | FleetCenter | 35–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 56 | February 27, 1996 | Portland | W 101–87 | | | | Market Square Arena | 36–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 57 | February 29, 1996 | Golden State | W 94–85 | | | | Market Square Arena | 37–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 58 | March 3, 1996 | Charlotte | W 103–100 | | | | Market Square Arena | 38–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 59 | March 5, 1996 | @ Phoenix | L 95–108 | | | | America West Arena | 38–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 60 | March 6, 1996 | @ Utah | L 94–101 | | | | Delta Center | 38–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 61 | March 8, 1996 | @ Vancouver | W 94–80 | | | | General Motors Place | 39–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 62 | March 10, 1996 | @ Portland | L 108–113 (2OT) | | | | Rose Garden | 39–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 63 | March 15, 1996 | Utah | L 86–95 | | | | Market Square Arena | 39–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 64 | March 17, 1996 | Toronto | W 105–96 | | | | Market Square Arena | 40–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 65 | March 19, 1996 | @ Charlotte | L 94–102 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 40–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 66 | March 20, 1996 | @ New York | L 99–102 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 40–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 67 | March 22, 1996 | Vancouver | W 111–94 | | | | Market Square Arena | 41–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 68 | March 24, 1996 | San Antonio | L 88–100 | | | | Market Square Arena | 41–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 69 | March 26, 1996 | Boston | W 103–96 | | | | Market Square Arena | 42–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 70 | March 27, 1996 | @ Washington | W 99–93 | | | | USAir Arena | 43–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 71 | March 29, 1996 | @ Minnesota | L 91–93 | | | | Target Center | 43–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 72 | March 31, 1996 | New Jersey | W 118–100 | | | | Market Square Arena | 44–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 73 | April 2, 1996 | New York | L 86–90 | | | | Market Square Arena | 44–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 74 | April 3, 1996 | @ Philadelphia | W 102–87 | | | | CoreStates Spectrum | 45–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 75 | April 6, 1996 | Miami | W 99–95 | | | | Market Square Arena | 46–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 76 | April 8, 1996 | Atlanta | W 97–95 | | | | Market Square Arena | 47–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 77 | April 12, 1996 | @ Orlando | W 111–101 | | | | Orlando Arena | 48–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 78 | April 13, 1996 | Detroit | W 91–86 | | | | Market Square Arena | 49–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 79 | April 15, 1996 | Charlotte | W 90–87 | | | | Market Square Arena | 50–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 80 | April 17, 1996 | @ Detroit | L 93–102 | | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 50–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 81 | April 20, 1996 | @ Chicago | W 100–99 | | | | United Center | 51–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 82 | April 21, 1996 | Cleveland | W 89–88 | | | | Market Square Arena | 52–30

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 25, 1996 | Atlanta | L 80–92 | Smits (19) | D. Davis (12) | Pierce (5) | Market Square Arena 16,438 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 27, 1996 | Atlanta | W 102–94 (OT) | Smits (29) | D. Davis (12) | Jackson (9) | Market Square Arena 16,709 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | April 29, 1996 | @ Atlanta | L 83–90 | McKey, Smits (13) | D. Davis (10) | Jackson (6) | Omni Coliseum 11,290 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | May 2, 1996 | @ Atlanta | W 83–75 | Smits (17) | D. Davis, Smits (9) | Jackson (5) | Omni Coliseum 15,482 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 5, 1996 | Atlanta | L 87–89 | Miller (29) | D. Davis (13) | Jackson (8) | Market Square Arena 16,731

2–3

Player statistics

Ragular season

PlayerPOSGPGSMPREBASTSTLBLKPTSMPGRPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
PF**82**142,09250143336671925.56.1.5.4.88.8
PG81**81****2,643**307**635****100**580632.63.8**7.8****1.2**.110.0
PF78772,617**709**7656**112**80333.6**9.1**1.0.7**1.4**10.3
PG7741,16412421365427915.11.62.8.8.13.6
SG76762,6212142537713**1,606****34.5**2.83.31.0.2**21.1**
SG7621,40413610157673718.51.81.3.8.19.7
SF75752,440361262834487932.54.83.51.1.611.7
C63631,90143311021451,16430.26.91.7.3.718.5
SF6211,0021536920447516.22.51.1.3.17.7
PG59157144972032219.7.71.6.3.13.7
SF546591933023320210.91.7.6.4.13.7
PF5113271106951106.42.2.1.2.12.2
C33829778149121119.02.4.4.3.43.4
SG151859861325.7.6.5.4.12.1

Playoffs

PlayerPOSGPGSMPREBASTSTLBLKPTSMPGRPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
PG**5****5****186**25**30**6053**37.2**5.0**6.0**1.2.010.6
PF**5****5**184**56**43**6**3636.8**11.2**.8.6**1.2**7.2
SF**5****5**1803310716436.06.62.01.4.212.8
C**5****5**16637822**95**33.27.41.6.4.419.0
SG**5**4133415**8**15126.6.83.0**1.6**.210.2
PF**5**01273133**6**3925.46.2.6.6**1.2**7.8
PG**5**084119602916.82.21.81.2.05.8
SF**5**06993401813.81.8.6.8.03.6
PG**5**05332201910.6.6.4.4.03.8
SG113111102931.01.01.01.0.0**29.0**
SF109010009.0.01.0.0.0.0
PF103100023.01.0.0.0.02.0

Awards and records

  • Reggie Miller, NBA All-Star Game
  • Reggie Miller, All-NBA Third Team
  • Derrick McKey, NBA All-Defensive Second Team

Transactions

Overview

**Players added****Players Lost**
AdditionsPlayerDate signedFormer team
Adrian CaldwellOctober 4, 1995Sioux Falls Skyforce (CBA)
Eddie JohnsonOctober 3, 1995Olympiacos (Greece)
Ricky PierceOctober 3, 1995Golden State Warriors
Dwayne SchintziusOctober 18, 1995New Jersey Nets
SubtractionsPlayerReason LeftNew team
Vern FlemingFree AgencyNew Jersey Nets
Greg KiteFree AgencyRapid City Thrillers (CBA)
Sam MitchellFree AgencyMinnesota Timberwolves
Byron ScottExpansion DraftVancouver Grizzlies
Mark StricklandFree AgencyUnknown
LaSalle ThompsonFree AgencyPhiladelphia 76ers

Player Transactions Citation:

References

References

  1. [https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/1996.html 1995–96 Indiana Pacers]
  2. (October 5, 1995). "NBA Off-Season Transactions". United Press International.
  3. Heisler, Mark. (November 1, 1995). "Eastern Conference: Central Atlantic". Los Angeles Times.
  4. Smith, Sam. (December 30, 1995). "Pacers' Johnson Burying Jumpers, Just Like Old Days". Chicago Tribune.
  5. (October 31, 1995). "Smits Will Have Surgery, Out 3-4 Weeks". United Press International.
  6. (November 1, 1995). "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Pacers' Smits Out 3 Weeks". The New York Times.
  7. Baker, Chris. (December 11, 1995). "Frustrations Rise as Clippers Fall: Pro Basketball: Williams Fouls Out for Second Consecutive Game and Team Loses Eighth in a Row, 111-104, to Pacers". Los Angeles Times.
  8. (November 11, 1995). "Kings 119, Pacers 95". United Press International.
  9. (November 12, 1995). "Which Players Weren't Suspended?: Pro Basketball: NBA Punishes Eight Pacers, Eight Kings for Fighting. Penalties Will Have to Be Staggered". Los Angeles Times.
  10. (November 12, 1995). "NBA Suspends 16 from Pacers, Kings for Fighting". The Seattle Times.
  11. "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference.
  12. "1995–96 Indiana Pacers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.
  13. "1995–96 Indiana Pacers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.
  14. Heisler, Mark. (February 11, 1996). "NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes". Los Angeles Times.
  15. (September 13, 2021). "1996 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com.
  16. "1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118". Basketball-Reference.
  17. (December 27, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Smits and Pacers Deal Bulls Their Third Loss of the Season". The New York Times.
  18. (December 27, 1995). "Up by 24, Pacers Finally Cut Streaking Bulls Short". The Washington Post.
  19. "Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers Box Score, December 26, 1995". Basketball-Reference.
  20. Nadel, Mike. (April 20, 1996). "Pacers 100, Bulls 99". Associated Press.
  21. (April 21, 1996). "Down to the Wire: Pacers 100, Bulls 99". Chicago Tribune.
  22. "Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 20, 1996". Basketball-Reference.
  23. (April 14, 1996). "Miller to Undergo Surgery; Out 2-3 Weeks". United Press International.
  24. (April 15, 1996). "Miller Out at Least 3 Weeks". The New York Times.
  25. (April 15, 1996). "Injury to Sideline Pacers' Miller for Three Weeks". Los Angeles Times.
  26. (April 24, 1996). "Ricky Pierce to Start in Place of Reggie Miller". Associated Press.
  27. (April 28, 1996). "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Smits Steps In, in Overtime, to Defeat Fumbling Hawks". The New York Times.
  28. (May 2, 1996). "Pacers 83, Hawks 75". United Press International.
  29. (May 3, 1996). "NBA PLAYOFFS; Pacers to Head Home for Decisive Game 5". The New York Times.
  30. (May 4, 1996). "Pacers, Hawks Face Do-or-Die 5th Game". Deseret News.
  31. (May 6, 1996). "NBA PLAYOFFS; Miller, in Surprise Return, Just Misses Ousting Hawks". The New York Times.
  32. (May 6, 1996). "Hawks Escape Pacers". The Washington Post.
  33. "1996 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hawks vs. Pacers". Basketball-Reference.
  34. "1995–96 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference.
  35. (June 13, 1996). "Pacers Trade Jackson, Pierce to Denver". United Press International.
  36. (June 14, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nuggets Trade Abdul-Rauf, Acquire Pacers' Jackson". The New York Times.
  37. (June 14, 1996). "In One of Two Deals, Abdul-Rauf Is Traded". Los Angeles Times.
  38. "1995–96 Indiana Pacers Transactions". Basketball-Reference.
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