Heading into the 1994 NBA Finals, the biggest storyline in the NBA besides the heavily anticipated showdown between Patrick Ewing and Charles Barkley was that the Minnesota Timberwolves would likely be relocating after the 1994-95 NBA Season (I will post a poll of relocation city options after I post this). The series odds were even, some people thought Phoenix's experience would carry them to back-to-back titles, others said the Knicks power would be enough to dethrone the Suns.
G1: NY 89 @ PHX 94 (America West Arena Phoenix, AZ) Suns lead series 1-0
Game 1 was a close back-and-forth battle throughout. Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing matched each-other basket-for-basket. But the Suns would make several key baskets down the stretch to win it, including a key 3-pointer from Richard Dumas with 18 seconds left.
G2: NY 102 @ PHX 101 (America West Arena Phoenix, AZ) Series tied 1-1
Game 2 was just as good, if not better than game 1. The Knicks were leading for most of the game, by as many as 10 in the fourth quarter. Phoenix would come back as they have so many times in these 1994 NBA playoffs. Phoenix would take a one point lead with 7 seconds left on a pair of free throws from Mark West. After a timeout, the Knicks would inbound the ball to John Starks, who was double-teamed. He passed to a wide-open Charles Smith who banked in the eventual game winner of the glass with 3.9 seconds left. Phoenix called a time-out, but couldn't get a shot off on time.
G3: PHX 92 @ NY 105 (Madison Square Garden Manhattan, NY) Knicks lead series 2-1
New York would be all over the Suns in this one as the series shifted to NYC. Patrick Ewing was fabulous, dropping 59 points on the Suns, including a dunk on West that electrified MSG as the Knicks took a 2-1 lead in the series.
G4: PHX 115 @ NY 103 (Madison Square Garden Manhattan, NY) Series tied 2-2
The Suns would manage to steal home-court advantage in game 4. Phoenix would not have it easy though as New York constantly tried to come back. But the Knicks would fall flat in the Final minutes of the fourth as Kevin Johnson once again showed why he is one of the best clutch players in the NBA right now. He scored 17 points in the final 5 minutes of the game.
G5: PHX 123 @ NY 125 (Madison Square Garden Manhattan, NY) Knicks lead series 3-2
Game 5 would be one of the most exciting games in Knick history. But most the nation could not see the game because the now infamous OJ Simpson car chase was going on as the game was being played. The Suns were leading for the most of the game, by as many as 22 at one point, many turned off the game to watch the chase as it happened live on air. However the Knicks would have a killer second half, hitting three after three while Phoenix was ice cold. With 23 seconds left, John Starks would hit the go ahead bucket that put New York ahead. Both teams would make some free throws before it was all over. The Knicks would go back the Phoenix with a chance to win their fist title since 1973. Conversely, the Suns would be facing elimination for the first time in the playoffs.
G6: NY 83 @ PHX 110 (America West Arena Phoenix, AZ) Series tied 3-3
Game 6 would be a blowout compared to the first 5 games. The Knicks just lost some mojo from that game 5 win. Phoenix would roll behind Charles Barkley's 35 and Danny Ainge's 33 points to force a game 7 in Phoenix two nights later.
Game 7 will be in a separate post to keep you on your toes. For now, here is the poll for where you think the Timberwolves should go.