The 2000 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1999–2000 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers four games to two. Shaquille O'Neal was named NBA Finals MVP. This was also the first NBA postseason to not have any back-to-backs at all. (After 1988, they were still used in the conference semifinals.) Overview The San Antonio Spurs were the champions going into the playoffs, but following a season-ending injury to third-year star Tim Duncan, were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the first round, marking the first time since 1987 that a new champion would follow a team enjoying a single season championship tenure. They were also the first defending champion to be eliminated in the first round since the Philadelphia 76ers in 1984. The Houston Rockets missed the playoffs for the first time since 1992, while the Seattle SuperSonics returned after a one season absence. The Toronto Raptors made their NBA playoff debut, becoming the first Canadian team to do so. As such, Game 3 of their first round series against the New York Knicks was the first NBA Playoff game ever played outside the United States. For the first time in franchise history, the Miami Heat swept a playoff opponent by beating the Detroit Pistons 3-0. It was also their first playoff series victory since 1997, when they made the Conference Finals. Game 4 of the Trail Blazers-Timberwolves series was Malik Sealy’s final NBA Game. He would lose his life in a drunk driving crash on May 20th, after attending Kevin Garnett’s birthday party. In the conference semifinals, the Miami Heat and New York Knicks met for the fourth consecutive postseason. They would not meet again in the playoffs until 2012. With their conference semifinals victory over the Utah Jazz, The Portland Trail Blazers advanced to their second consecutive Western Conference Finals. The Trail Blazers would not win another playoff series until 2014. With a Game 7 win in the conference semifinals, the New York Knicks eliminated the Miami Heat for the third consecutive postseason. The Knicks would not win another playoff series until 2013. In the Western Conference Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers took a 3-1 series lead, only for the Portland Trail Blazers to force a Game 7. By doing so, the Trail Blazers became the first team since 1981.