1998 Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 vs. Chicago Bulls

Lore & Background

Game 4 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals is remembered as a bitter turning point for the Pacers. With the Bulls leading the series 2-1, Indiana came to Chicago determined to even the series. Reggie Miller, the Pacers' sharpshooting legend, had been a thorn in the Bulls' side throughout the rivalry, and this game was no exception. The Pacers held a lead late in the fourth quarter, and Miller was fouled while attempting a three-pointer with seconds left, a call that could have tied the game. However, referee Dick Bavetta ruled that Miller had kicked his leg out to initiate contact, calling an offensive foul instead, effectively sealing the Bulls' victory. The call ignited a firestorm of debate that still simmers among fans—was it a flop, a veteran's craft, or a ref's overreach? Either way, it snatched a potential series-tying win from Indiana's grasp.

In Their Own Story

The roar of the United Center was a living thing, pressing down on the Pacers as the clock ticked under ten seconds. Reggie Miller, sweat dripping from his brow, caught the pass beyond the arc. He rose, his form perfect, and felt the contact from Scottie Pippen's closing hand. The whistle blew. The crowd held its breath. But referee Dick Bavetta's arm went the other way—offensive foul. Miller's kick, a fraction of a second too theatrical, had cost them. The Pacers' bench erupted in disbelief—Larry Bird's stoic face twisted into a mask of fury—but the call stood. Chicago escaped 96-94, and the series tilted forever. For Pacers fans, that whistle still echoes: a what-if that never fades.

Reader's Guide

This Game 4 was a pivotal clash in the Pacers' quest to dethrone the Bulls. The Pacers, a rugged team built around Miller's clutch shooting and a tough defense, had already stunned the Bulls in Game 3 at home. In Chicago, they played with grit, leading for much of the fourth quarter. The climax came when Miller, driving for a potential game-tying three, was called for an offensive foul after making contact with Pippen. Replays showed minimal leg extension, and the call remains debated among fans. The Bulls won 96-94, taking a 3-1 series lead. The Pacers would win Game 5 but ultimately lose the series in seven games. This match is remembered as a what-if moment—a single call that may have cost Indiana a chance at the NBA Finals.

Did You Know?

• Reggie Miller scored 28 points in Game 4, including several clutch baskets in the fourth quarter.
• The controversial foul call was made by referee Dick Bavetta, a longtime NBA official.
• The Pacers had won Game 3 in Indiana by 19 points, their first win over the Bulls in that year's playoffs.
• Michael Jordan averaged 31.7 points per game in the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals.