# 1997–98 Indiana Pacers season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Pacers' 22nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 31st season as a franchise. In the off-season, the Pacers hired former Indiana State and Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird as head coach, acquired All-Star forward Chris Mullin from the Golden State Warriors, and signed free agent Mark West. Bird and Mullin were once teammates on the "Dream Team" from the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
The Pacers struggled early in the regular season losing five of their first seven games, but then won 15 of their next 18 games, and held the best record in the Eastern Conference at 33–13 before the All-Star break. The Pacers won nine of their final eleven games, and returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence, finishing in second place in the Central Division with a 58–24 record. It was also the first time since joining the NBA that the Pacers finished with a winning road record. The Pacers had the fifth best team defensive rating in the NBA.
Reggie Miller led the Pacers in scoring averaging 19.5 points per game, led them with 164 three-point field goals, and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team, while Rik Smits averaged 16.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, and Mullin provided the team with 11.3 points per game. In addition, Dale Davis provided with 8.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and Mark Jackson contributed 8.3 points and 8.7 assists per game. Off the bench, sixth man Antonio Davis averaged 9.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while Jalen Rose contributed 9.4 points per game, Travis Best provided with 6.5 points and 3.4 assists per game, and Derrick McKey contributed 6.3 points per game, but only played 57 games due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Miller, Smits and coach Bird represented the Eastern Conference during the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York City, New York; it was also Smits' only All-Star appearance. Bird was named Coach of the Year after his first season as head coach. Meanwhile, Miller and Smits both finished tied in sixteenth place in Most Valuable Player voting, and Rose finished tied in thirteenth place in Most Improved Player voting.
In the playoffs, the Pacers would defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers three games to one in the Eastern Conference First Round, then defeat the 7th-seeded New York Knicks four games to one in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. In the Eastern Conference finals, the Pacers faced off against Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the 2-time defending champion Chicago Bulls. However, with the series tied at 3–3, the Pacers would lose to the Bulls in a hard fought seven-game series. The Bulls would go on to defeat the Utah Jazz in six games in the NBA Finals for their third consecutive championship, and sixth overall in eight years.
Following the season, West signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks, and Haywoode Workman, who missed the entire season with a knee injury, was released to free agency and signed with the Milwaukee Bucks midway through the next season.
A notable highlight of the season was the Pacers defeating the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, 124–59 at Market Square Arena on February 27, 1998, which marked the first time in NBA history that a team scored twice as more points than its opponent. For the season, the team sported new pinstripe uniforms with golden yellow side panels, which would remain in use until 2005.

## Draft picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 12 | Austin Croshere | SF/PF | United States | Providence |

## Roster
### Roster Notes

* Point guard Haywoode Workman missed the entire season due to a knee injury.

## Regular season
### Season standings

| Central Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Chicago Bulls | 62 | 20 | .756 | – | 37–4 | 25–16 | 21–7 |
| x-Indiana Pacers | 58 | 24 | .707 | 4 | 32–9 | 26–15 | 19–9 |
| x-Charlotte Hornets | 51 | 31 | .622 | 11 | 32–9 | 19–22 | 16–12 |
| x-Atlanta Hawks | 50 | 32 | .610 | 12 | 29–12 | 21–20 | 19–9 |
| x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 15 | 27–14 | 20–21 | 14–14 |
| Detroit Pistons | 37 | 45 | .451 | 25 | 25–16 | 12–29 | 12–16 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 36 | 46 | .439 | 26 | 21–20 | 15–26 | 9–19 |
| Toronto Raptors | 16 | 66 | .195 | 46 | 9–32 | 7–34 | 2–26 |
| # | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | c-Chicago Bulls | 62 | 20 | .756 | – |
| 2 | y-Miami Heat | 55 | 27 | .671 | 7 |
| 3 | x-Indiana Pacers | 58 | 24 | .707 | 4 |
| 4 | x-Charlotte Hornets | 51 | 31 | .622 | 11 |
| 5 | x-Atlanta Hawks | 50 | 32 | .610 | 12 |
| 6 | x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 15 |
| 7 | x-New York Knicks | 43 | 39 | .524 | 19 |
| 8 | x-New Jersey Nets | 43 | 39 | .524 | 19 |
| 9 | Washington Wizards | 42 | 40 | .512 | 20 |
| 10 | Orlando Magic | 41 | 41 | .500 | 21 |
| 11 | Detroit Pistons | 37 | 45 | .451 | 25 |
| 12 | Boston Celtics | 36 | 46 | .439 | 26 |
| 12 | Milwaukee Bucks | 36 | 46 | .439 | 26 |
| 14 | Philadelphia 76ers | 31 | 51 | .378 | 31 |
| 15 | Toronto Raptors | 16 | 66 | .195 | 46 |
    z - clinched division title
    y - clinched division title
    x - clinched playoff spot

### Record vs. opponents

1997-98 NBA Records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | VAN | WAS |
| Atlanta | – | 2–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Boston | 1–2 | – | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–2 |
| Charlotte | 0–4 | 2–1 | – | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
| Chicago | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | – | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Cleveland | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 |
| Dallas | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Denver | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | – | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
| Golden State | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | – | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | – | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| Indiana | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | – | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| L.A. Lakers | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | – | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Miami | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
| Milwaukee | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | – | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 |
| Minnesota | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| New Jersey | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | – | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| New York | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Orlando | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–4 | – | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Philadelphia | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Phoenix | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Portland | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Sacramento | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | – | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| San Antonio | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | – | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Seattle | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | – | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Toronto | 0–4 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–3 |
| Utah | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | – | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| Vancouver | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | – | 1–1 |
| Washington | 0–4 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — |

## Game log
### Regular season

1997–98 game log Total: 58–24 (home: 31–10; road: 27–14) :
October: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 31, 1997
@ New Jersey
L 95–97
Continental Airlines Arena
0–1 :
November: 8–5 (home: 5–3; road: 3–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
2
November 1, 1997
Golden State
W 96–83
Market Square Arena
1–1
3
November 4, 1997
@ Cleveland
L 77–80
Gund Arena
1–2
4
November 5, 1997
@ Detroit
W 99–87
The Palace of Auburn Hills
2–2
5
November 7, 1997
Seattle
L 93–99
Market Square Arena
2–3
6
November 8, 1997
@ Charlotte
L 82–89
Charlotte Coliseum
2–4
7
November 12, 1997
Atlanta
L 86–89
Market Square Arena
2–5
8
November 14, 1997
Miami
W 82–78
Market Square Arena
3–5
9
November 15, 1997
@ Toronto
W 105–77
SkyDome
4–5
10
November 20, 1997
@ Milwaukee
W 109–83
Bradley Center
5–5
11
November 22, 1997
Charlotte
L 94–95
Market Square Arena
5–6
12
November 27, 1997
Vancouver
W 106–85
Market Square Arena
6–6
13
November 28, 1997
Chicago
W 94–83
Market Square Arena
7–6
14
November 30, 1997
Philadelphia
W 101–89
Market Square Arena
8–6 :
December: 11–4 (home: 6–0; road: 5–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
15
December 3, 1997
@ Minnesota
W 94–90
Target Center
9–6
16
December 5, 1997
@ Denver
W 96–85
McNichols Sports Arena
10–6
17
December 7, 1997
@ Phoenix
W 99–97 (OT)
America West Arena
11–6
18
December 8, 1997
@ Utah
L 97–106
Delta Center
11–7
19
December 10, 1997
@ Portland
L 85–93
Rose Garden
11–8
20
December 12, 1997
Miami
W 104–89
Market Square Arena
12–8
21
December 13, 1997
Washington
W 109–92
Market Square Arena
13–8
22
December 15, 1997
@ Toronto
W 108–101
SkyDome
14–8
23
December 17, 1997
New York
W 87–80
Market Square Arena
15–8
24
December 19, 1997
Detroit
W 98–90
Market Square Arena
16–8
25
December 20, 1997
@ Orlando
W 95–92
Orlando Arena
17–8
26
December 23, 1997
@ San Antonio
L 79–91
Alamodome
17–9
27
December 26, 1997
Orlando
W 107–81
Market Square Arena
18–9
28
December 28, 1997
@ Miami
L 90–101
Miami Arena
18–10
29
December 30, 1997
New Jersey
W 109–91
Market Square Arena
19–10 :
January: 12–2 (home: 7–1; road: 5–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
30
January 2, 1998
@ Washington
W 99–81
MCI Center
20–10
31
January 3, 1998
Toronto
W 89–77
Market Square Arena
21–10
32
January 6, 1998
Phoenix
L 80–81
Market Square Arena
21–11
33
January 8, 1998
@ Houston
W 87–80
Compaq Center
22–11
34
January 10, 1998
@ Dallas
W 84–79
Reunion Arena
23–11
35
January 14, 1998
Detroit
W 100–93
Market Square Arena
24–11
36
January 16, 1998
Sacramento
W 117–92
Market Square Arena
25–11
37
January 18, 1998
@ Boston
W 103–96
FleetCenter
26–11
38
January 21, 1998
@ New York
L 89–97
Madison Square Garden
26–12
39
January 23, 1998
Utah
W 106–102
Market Square Arena
27–12
40
January 24, 1998
Boston
W 95–88
Market Square Arena
28–12
41
January 27, 1998
Washington
W 85–84
Market Square Arena
29–12
42
January 28, 1998
@ Philadelphia
W 93–90 (OT)
CoreStates Center
30–12
43
January 30, 1998
Cleveland
W 89–83
Market Square Arena
31–12 :
February: 8–5 (home: 3–2; road: 5–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
44
February 1, 1998
@ L.A. Clippers
W 99–92
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
32–12
45
February 3, 1998
@ Sacramento
W 115–93
ARCO Arena
33–12
46
February 4, 1998
@ Seattle
L 97–104
KeyArena
33–13
All-Star Break
47
February 10, 1998
Orlando
W 85–66
Market Square Arena
34–13
48
February 11, 1998
@ Miami
W 110–101
Miami Arena
35–13
49
February 13, 1998
Dallas
L 82–85 (2OT)
Market Square Arena
35–14
50
February 14, 1998
@ Atlanta
W 96–92
Georgia Dome
36–14
51
February 17, 1998
@ Chicago
L 97–105
United Center
36–15
52
February 19, 1998
Philadelphia
W 82–77
Market Square Arena
37–15
53
February 20, 1998
@ Orlando
L 91–93
Orlando Arena
37–16
54
February 22, 1998
@ Philadelphia
W 97–92
CoreStates Center
38–16
55
February 25, 1998
L.A. Lakers
L 89–96
Market Square Arena
38–17
56
February 27, 1998
Portland
W 124–59
Market Square Arena
39–17 :
March: 11–5 (home: 6–3; road: 5–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
57
March 1, 1998
Denver
W 90–63
Market Square Arena
40–17
58
March 3, 1998
@ Vancouver
W 111–103
General Motors Place
41–17
59
March 4, 1998
@ L.A. Lakers
L 95–104
Great Western Forum
41–18
60
March 6, 1998
@ Golden State
W 101–87
The Arena in Oakland
42–18
61
March 8, 1998
Boston
W 104–100
Market Square Arena
43–18
62
March 11, 1998
@ Detroit
L 91–122
The Palace of Auburn Hills
43–19
63
March 13, 1998
Milwaukee
W 96–76
Market Square Arena
44–19
64
March 15, 1998
@ New York
W 91–86
Madison Square Garden
45–19
65
March 17, 1998
Chicago
L 84–90
Market Square Arena
45–20
66
March 19, 1998
@ Washington
W 95–91
MCI Center
46–20
67
March 20, 1998
New Jersey
W 99–92
Market Square Arena
47–20
68
March 22, 1998
@ Milwaukee
W 96–94 (OT)
Bradley Center
48–20
69
March 25, 1998
Houston
L 81–86
Market Square Arena
48–21
70
March 27, 1998
Charlotte
W 133–96
Market Square Arena
49–21
71
March 29, 1998
San Antonio
L 55–74
Market Square Arena
49–22
72
March 31, 1998
L.A. Clippers
W 128–106
Market Square Arena
50–22 :
April: 9–1 (home: 5–0; road: 4–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
73
April 2, 1998
Minnesota
W 111–108
Market Square Arena
51–22
74
April 3, 1998
@ Charlotte
L 89–96
Charlotte Coliseum
51–23
75
April 5, 1998
Milwaukee
W 93–92
Market Square Arena
52–23
76
April 7, 1998
Cleveland
W 82–80
Market Square Arena
53–23
77
April 9, 1998
@ Atlanta
W 105–102 (OT)
Georgia Dome
54–23
78
April 12, 1998
@ Boston
W 93–87
FleetCenter
55–23
79
April 13, 1998
@ Chicago
W 114–105
United Center
56–23
80
April 15, 1998
Atlanta
W 82–70
Market Square Arena
57–23
81
April 17, 1998
Toronto
W 107–98
Market Square Arena
58–23
82
April 18, 1998
@ Cleveland
L 92–96
Gund Arena
58–24 :
1997–98 schedule :

## Playoffs

1998 playoff game log :
Eastern Conference First Round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
April 23, 1998
Cleveland
W 106–77
Mullin (20)
Mullin (6)
Jackson (10)
Market Square Arena 16,644
1–0
2
April 25, 1998
Cleveland
W 92–86
Miller (18)
D. Davis (10)
Jackson (11)
Market Square Arena 16,617
2–0
3
April 27, 1998
@ Cleveland
L 77–86
Smits (26)
D. Davis (9)
Jackson (17)
Gund Arena 17,495
2–1
4
April 30, 1998
@ Cleveland
W 80–74
Miller (19)
A. Davis (9)
Jackson (6)
Gund Arena 18,188
3–1 :
Eastern Conference semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 5, 1998
New York
W 93–83
Miller (17)
D. Davis (11)
Jackson (6)
Market Square Arena 16,630
1–0
2
May 7, 1998
New York
W 85–77
Smits (22)
D. Davis (9)
Jackson (5)
Market Square Arena 16,765
2–0
3
May 9, 1998
@ New York
L 76–83
Miller (23)
D. Davis (9)
Jackson (9)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
2–1
4
May 10, 1998
@ New York
W 118–107 (OT)
Miller (38)
A. Davis (9)
Jackson (15)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
3–1
5
May 13, 1998
New York
W 99–88
Miller (24)
Jackson (14)
Jackson (13)
Market Square Arena 16,767
4–1 :
Eastern Conference finals: 3–4 (home: 3–0; road: 0–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 17, 1998
@ Chicago
L 79–85
Miller (16)
A. Davis (11)
Jackson (6)
United Center 23,844
0–1
2
May 19, 1998
@ Chicago
L 98–104
Miller (19)
D. Davis (9)
Jackson (8)
United Center 23,844
0–2
3
May 23, 1998
Chicago
W 107–105
Miller (28)
A. Davis (12)
Jackson, Rose (6)
Market Square Arena 16,576
1–2
4
May 25, 1998
Chicago
W 96–94
Smits (26)
Mullin (9)
Jackson (7)
Market Square Arena 16,560
2–2
5
May 27, 1998
@ Chicago
L 87–106
Miller (14)
A. Davis, Smits (7)
Jackson (5)
United Center 23,844
2–3
6
May 29, 1998
Chicago
W 92–89
Smits (25)
D. Davis (8)
Best, A. Davis, Jackson (3)
Market Square Arena 16,566
3–3
7
May 31, 1998
@ Chicago
L 83–88
Miller (22)
A. Davis (10)
Jackson (6)
United Center 23,844
3–4 :
1998 schedule :

## Player statistics
### Ragular season

| Player | POS | GP | GS | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Mark Jackson | PG | 82 | 82 | 2,413 | 322 | 713 | 84 | 2 | 678 | 29.4 | 3.9 | 8.7 | 1.0 | .0 | 8.3 |
| Chris Mullin | SF | 82 | 82 | 2,177 | 249 | 186 | 95 | 39 | 927 | 26.5 | 3.0 | 2.3 | 1.2 | .5 | 11.3 |
| Antonio Davis | PF | 82 | 12 | 2,191 | 560 | 61 | 45 | 72 | 785 | 26.7 | 6.8 | .7 | .5 | .9 | 9.6 |
| Jalen Rose | SF | 82 | 0 | 1,706 | 195 | 155 | 56 | 14 | 771 | 20.8 | 2.4 | 1.9 | .7 | .2 | 9.4 |
| Travis Best | PG | 82 | 0 | 1,547 | 122 | 281 | 85 | 5 | 535 | 18.9 | 1.5 | 3.4 | 1.0 | .1 | 6.5 |
| Reggie Miller | SG | 81 | 81 | 2,795 | 232 | 171 | 78 | 11 | 1,578 | 34.5 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 1.0 | .1 | 19.5 |
| Dale Davis | C | 78 | 78 | 2,174 | 611 | 70 | 51 | 87 | 626 | 27.9 | 7.8 | .9 | .7 | 1.1 | 8.0 |
| Rik Smits | C | 73 | 69 | 2,085 | 505 | 101 | 40 | 88 | 1,216 | 28.6 | 6.9 | 1.4 | .5 | 1.2 | 16.7 |
| Fred Hoiberg | SG | 65 | 1 | 874 | 123 | 45 | 40 | 3 | 261 | 13.4 | 1.9 | .7 | .6 | .0 | 4.0 |
| Derrick McKey | SF | 57 | 4 | 1,316 | 211 | 88 | 57 | 30 | 359 | 23.1 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.0 | .5 | 6.3 |
| Mark Pope | SF | 28 | 0 | 193 | 26 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 39 | 6.9 | .9 | .3 | .1 | .2 | 1.4 |
| Austin Croshere | PF | 26 | 0 | 243 | 45 | 8 | 9 | 5 | 76 | 9.3 | 1.7 | .3 | .3 | .2 | 2.9 |
| Mark West | C | 15 | 1 | 105 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 23 | 7.0 | 1.0 | .1 | .1 | .3 | 1.5 |
| Etdrick Bohannon | PF | 5 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2.2 | 1.2 | .2 | .0 | .4 | .0 |

### Playoffs

| Player | POS | GP | GS | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Reggie Miller | SG | 16 | 16 | 628 | 28 | 32 | 19 | 3 | 319 | 39.3 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.2 | .2 | 19.9 |
| Mark Jackson | PG | 16 | 16 | 494 | 73 | 133 | 23 | 0 | 147 | 30.9 | 4.6 | 8.3 | 1.4 | .0 | 9.2 |
| Rik Smits | C | 16 | 16 | 476 | 85 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 265 | 29.8 | 5.3 | 1.3 | .5 | .9 | 16.6 |
| Dale Davis | C | 16 | 16 | 466 | 120 | 12 | 5 | 18 | 141 | 29.1 | 7.5 | .8 | .3 | 1.1 | 8.8 |
| Chris Mullin | SF | 16 | 16 | 412 | 57 | 23 | 15 | 9 | 142 | 25.8 | 3.6 | 1.4 | .9 | .6 | 8.9 |
| Antonio Davis | PF | 16 | 0 | 459 | 108 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 147 | 28.7 | 6.8 | .9 | .8 | 1.1 | 9.2 |
| Travis Best | PG | 16 | 0 | 280 | 16 | 31 | 11 | 3 | 97 | 17.5 | 1.0 | 1.9 | .7 | .2 | 6.1 |
| Jalen Rose | SF | 15 | 0 | 293 | 27 | 28 | 11 | 6 | 122 | 19.5 | 1.8 | 1.9 | .7 | .4 | 8.1 |
| Derrick McKey | SF | 15 | 0 | 284 | 40 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 67 | 18.9 | 2.7 | .7 | .6 | .5 | 4.5 |
| Mark Pope | SF | 7 | 0 | 42 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 6.0 | .7 | .1 | .1 | .0 | 1.3 |
| Mark West | C | 4 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2.8 | .3 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .8 |
| Fred Hoiberg | SG | 2 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 10.0 | 2.0 | .5 | .5 | .0 | 4.5 |

## Awards

* Larry Bird, NBA Coach of the Year Award
* Larry Bird, All-Star East Head Coach
* Reggie Miller, NBA All-Star Game
* Rik Smits, NBA All-Star Game
* Reggie Miller, All-NBA Third Team