Despite Win, Pacer Days Numbered

Indiana’s easy victory in Game 5 was the result of the Pacers’ desperate and purposeful play and the Lakers’ tendency to subconsciously say to themselves when they have a big lead in a series, “Whenever.” Killer instinct? When the Lakers get a big lead, they take a little catnap.

Up two games to none against the lowest-seeded team in the Western Conference, Sacramento, the Lakers needed a home-court victory in deciding Game 5 to win their first-round series. Up 3-0 on Phoenix, the Lakers squandered a game before winning back at home in Game 5. Up 3-1 on Portland with Game 5 at home, the Lakers dropped two in the conference finals and needed a desperate Perils of Pauline escape to win Game 7. The Lakers are 11-2 early in the playoffs, 3-5 with chances to close out.

Now, before people get carried away skewering the Lakers for their inability to finish off opponents this postseason, keep this in mind: The Bulls of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson, thought of as cold-blooded deal sealers, let the victim linger three times in championship series. In 1993, the Bulls led Phoenix, 3-1, and couldn’t close the series at home. In ‘96, the 72-10 Bulls led Seattle, 3-0, but lost two straight and had to return home to Chicago to finish the series. And in ‘98, the only reason Jordan got the chance to hit that last dramatic shot was that the Bulls dropped Game 5 at home to Utah, forcing the series back to Salt Lake City.

So now the Pacers return to California, pleased at having extended the championship series but undoubtedly wondering why they couldn’t have played with this kind of purpose in Game 2 and Game 4, both of which were within their grasp.

This game, Coach Larry Bird’s last in Indiana, was as good as the Pacers can play. Reggie Miller was fabulous, particularly in the first half when he scored 18 of his 25 points. Rik Smits scored 12 points in just 13 minutes. Dale Davis and Sam Perkins did yeoman’s work on Shaquille O’Neal. Austin Croshere was a beast on the boards when he came off the bench and also went nose-to-nose with Shaq. And from start to finish, the Lakers got more than they wanted to see from Jalen Rose.

Even so, there are two games (if necessary) coming up in Los Angeles. The stars will be out. Kobe Bryant will return to fabulous, Smits will disappear, and the Pacers will return home, ringless, having wished they played just one more game exactly like this one.