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The Most Iconic Moments of 1990s NBA Playoff Basketball (Video)

Patrick ClarkeJun 2, 2018

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dominated basketball throughout the 1990s and provided some of basketball's most iconic moments from the decade. 

Which legendary moments from the 1990s hardwood stand out the most?

John Bleacher Report as we take a journey back in time to pay tribute to the nine most iconic NBA playoff moments from the 1990s.

Jordan Switches Hands

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In a remarkable display of athleticism and hang time, Michael Jordan elevated and switched the ball from his right to left hand in the air before finishing around the L.A. Lakers defense. 

Chicago would go on to win Game 2 of the 1991 NBA Finals, evening the series at a game apiece before finishing off Magic Johnson and the Lakers in Los Angeles.

Mario Elie's Kiss of Death

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Mario Elie's clutch corner three-pointer with 7.1 seconds remaining in Game 7 of the 1995 Western Conference semifinals, appropriately labeled the "Kiss of Death," sent the Houston Rockets to the West finals and on their way to a second straight NBA championship.

What made the moment even more memorable was that Houston had trailed Phoenix 3-1 in the series before storming back to win three in a row.

Pippen Dunks on Ewing

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Scottie Pippen threw down one of the most vicious slam dunks in NBA playoff history in Game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks. 

Pippen not only jammed on Knicks legend Patrick Ewing, but he pushed Ewing down and walked over him in an iconic 1990s playoff moment.

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Paxson Wins It for Chicago

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Chicago Bulls guard John Paxson nailed a cold-blooded triple in Game 6 of the 1993 Finals vs. the Phoenix Suns to clinch the Bulls' third straight title.

The shot was crucial because Chicago would have had to win a Game 7 in Phoenix if it didn't go. 

Reggie Miller vs. Spike Lee

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Reggie Miller and Spike Lee weren't the best of friends in the 1990s, especially when the Pacers and Knicks were going at each other's throats every spring. 

But who can forget Miller's iconic choke sign to Knicks diehard Spike Lee, who sat courtside during the 1994 Eastern Conference finals?

Miller would score an incredible 25 points in the fourth quarter of Game 5, leading Indiana from behind to win and embarrassing Lee in the process. 

The Shrug

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Michael Jordan set a then NBA record in 1992 when he hit six three-pointers in the first half of Game 1 of the 1992 NBA Finals vs. the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Jordan would finish the first half with 35 points, an NBA Finals record for most points in a half, and one iconic moment in 1990s playoff history, "The Shrug."

The Flu Game

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Michael Jordan delivered one of the gutsiest efforts in sports history in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, scoring 38 points in a pivotal road win.

Jordan was visibly shaken up throughout the contest, but he continued to haunt the Utah Jazz in the iconic "Flu Game."

8 Points in 9 Seconds

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Sharpshooter Reggie Miller became an Indiana Pacers legend after his superhuman performance in the final seconds of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals vs. the rival New York Knicks.

Miller scored eight consecutive points in less than 10 seconds to give the Pacers the lead and the Game 1 victory.

Jordan Caps off Decade of Dominance

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Whether Utah Jazz defender Bryon Russell slipped or was pushed by Michael Jordan in the waning moments of Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, the shot that followed remains one of the most clutch moments in basketball history.

Jordan sank a jumper with seconds left to give the Bulls the win and their sixth championship in franchise history, all in the 1990s. 

Follow Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more on the NBA.

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