Dallas Mavericks: 5 best game-winning buzzer-beaters in franchise history

5. Finley helps Mavs shock Pacers

The Indiana Pacers were one of the best teams in basketball in 1998. Reggie Miller was the leading scorer on a deep squad. Rik Smits dominated down low in his lone All-Star season. The Pacers also featured Chris Mullin, Antonio Davis, Jalen Rose, Mark Jackson, and Dale Davis. They came as close as any team to dethroning Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls later that season.

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The Dallas Mavericks were on the opposite end of the spectrum. They won just 20 games all season as Don Nelson took over for Jim Cleamons midway through the year. Michael Finley was Dallas’ leading scorer averaging 21.5 points in 41.4 minutes per game.

The Mavericks traveled to Indiana on Feb. 13, 1998. The Pacers were 35-13 heading into the game. Dallas had ten wins in 49 contests. Nobody expected the Mavs to win.

The Pacers jumped out to a 16-point lead in the first quarter, and it looked all but over. The Mavericks were down ten at halftime. They kept slowly crawling back. They finally tied it in the third quarter. The two teams went back and forth the rest of the way.

Finley finally broke the tie with a 3-pointer to win the game in double-overtime. Fans can see the shot here.

The massive upset lands Finley’s double-overtime game-winner at number five on the list.

Next: No. 4