With the NBA in an indefinite hiatus due to COVID-19, we continue our day-by-day look back at the history of the Philadelphia 76ers. We continue down our path into Sixers history every day as we look to fill the void left by the absence of basketball.
This edition of the throwback Sixers takes us back to the 2001 playoffs when Philadelphia took on the Indiana Pacers in Round 1. After splitting the first two games in South Philly, the series shifted to Conseco Fieldhouse in what was expected to be a raucous environment as Indianapolis welcomed back the defending Eastern Conference champions. Despite being the 8 seed, the Pacers were feeling confident, so the Sixers turned to the MVP to get the job done.
April 28, 2001
After dropping Game 1 at home, the Sixers bounced back to win Game 2, but the momentum remained with the Pacers. Reggie Miller and company just needed to win two games on their home floor to upset the top-seeded Sixers. They had just reached the NBA Finals the season before so this isn’t your average 8 seed, but Allen Iverson also isn’t your average player.
Iverson ignored the noise Fieldhouse and he dropped 32 points with seven rebounds and six assists to overcome 35 points from Miller to lead the Sixers to a 92-87 win and take a 2-1 series lead. It was just the beginning of an impressive playoff run for Iverson and it was an important win for Philadelphia to move forward.
The Sixers would then win Game 4 on the road as well to move on to Round 2. Everybody knows what happened from there, but that is for another day. [lawrence-related id=30146,30136,30129]