Pacers Win/Nuggets Lose In #7, Evoking 1975 A.B.A. Semis Shocker

Yesterday, both road teams, first the Indiana Pacers, who ripped the New York Knicks and then the Minnesota Timberwolves who ousted the defending champion Denver Nuggets, prevailed in a game 7 to move into the NBA semi-final round.

It is likely only I “link” it as a repeat of a #7 played in the first season of the current 50 season span (1975-2024).

That ’75 game 7 was in the ABA West final and the Pacers, who have never met the Nuggets in the (each team has been in the NBA for 48 seasons) NBA ‘offs , won in Denver for the third time in that series, as the Timberwolves did vs the Nuggets last night.

The current Pacers, playing with a tribute to the great George McGinnis on their uniforms, won 3 ABA crowns, with McGinnis the most important of many excellent players on the repeat title teams of 1972 and 1973.

Indiana, now a huge series underdog vs the top ranked Boston Celtics, and the T-Wolves, a decent fave con home advantage vs “the sent to the foul line/semis,” Dallas Mavericks, have never won an NBA title and only Indy in 2000, when L.A. 6’d them in the final, has a final round appearance, in the two team’s combined 82 completed NBA seasons.

Aaron Nesmith, pictured above as a Boston Celtics player (the Celtics are say 9 to 1 series “faves” vs Indy), hit all 8 of his shots from the field, as the Pacers made it 5 of 6 wins in their last 6 series vs the Knicks, with incredible 67% shooting the key factor.

Many more notes ahead, but back to ’75, when the Pacers won 3 games at Denver including #7, as Minne did, completing such yesterday.

The Nuggets were an incredible (44-2) at home (regular season and playoffs, including a game 1 win vs the Pacers, before losing their last 3 home tilts and getting ousted by “Indy” in those ABA semis).