This Game 5 of the Finals and more generally this June 17, 1994 marked popular culture in the United States. For an obvious reason: in the middle of a crucial Finals match, the cameras had turned away from New York to follow live the chase between the Californian police and OJ Simpson, the main suspect in the murder of his wife Nicole Brown and his friend, Ron Goldman.
However, this moment, which even the Rockets and Knicks players will talk about during the game, should not make us forget what happened on the field. This Game 5 was like these quite unforgettable Finals. That is to say a contested and muscular match, with a lot of aggression but also talent and suspense.
On the show side, we can note the tap dunks of Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon. In terms of tension, Anthony Mason found himself at the center of quite lively discussions and crowds.
Counter record, at the time
Obviously, the two pivots dominated the meeting. The one from Houston compiled 27 points and 8 rebounds and it was especially in the second half that he showed off his flawless technique. But the best player of this meeting is Patrick Ewing. The Knicks pivot had his best game of the Finals with 25 points at 11/21 shooting, 12 rebounds and 8 blocks (record for the Finals at the time, beaten by Dwight Howard in 2009).
As always, the New York legend relies on his fighting spirit and his power. But also on his technical finesse, often forgotten, with his mid-distance shot. He even scored a winning shot in the second half! Carried by their All-Star, the Knicks won 91-84 and took control of the series (3-2).
However, we know the rest, with John Starks' big match in Game 6, Hakeem Olajuwon's decisive counter and Houston's final victory in Game 7.
