Fansided

30 best shots in NBA Playoffs history

By John Buhler

June 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the second half in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
June 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) moves the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the second half in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK – APRIL 30: Allan Houston #20 of the New York Knicks shoots a layup against the Miami Heat in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 1998 Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 1998 in New York, New York. The Knicks won 90-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1998 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK – APRIL 30: Allan Houston #20 of the New York Knicks shoots a layup against the Miami Heat in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 1998 Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 1998 in New York, New York. The Knicks won 90-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1998 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

29. Allan Houston’s series clincher versus Miami Heat: 1999 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Game 5

Allan Houston goes down as one of the better sharpshooters of his generation. He came into the league out of Tennessee, making buckets from distance first for the Detroit Pistons and then most notably the New York Knicks.

In the late 1990s to early 2000s, one could argue that Houston was the best player on the Knicks not named Patrick Ewing. Injuries would shorten his prime far too early, but Houston’s most famous NBA moment cam in the 1999 Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Miami Heat.

The 1998-99 NBA season was a strike-shortened year following Michael Jordan’s second retirement. New York was the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs and took the top-seeded Miami Heat to the deciding Game 5.

Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy drew up his greatest play to get the accurate Houston open for a game-winning running jump shot. Houston would make the jumper and Van Gundy would beat his former mentor in Miami head coach Pat Riley.

This was the peak of the Heat/Knicks rivalry of that era. New York would win the Eastern Conference Finals over the rival Indiana Pacers in six games before falling to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 1999 NBA Finals.

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