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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- When Portland left Mark Jackson all alone in
overtime, he made the Trail Blazers pay.
|  | | Europe was well represented in the paint with Rik Smits of the Netherlands, right, and Lithuania's Arvydas Sabonis. |
The Indiana guard hit a trio of 3-pointers in the extra session
Thursday night to spark the Pacers to a 127-119 victory.
"The guys caused my man to rotate. I got some good looks. I got
into a rhythm. I was stepping into them and knocking them down,"
said Jackson, who scored 10 of his season-high 23 points in the
extra period as the Pacers stretched their franchise-record home
winning streak to 25 games.
Indiana had a chance to win the game in regulation, getting the
ball inside to Rik Smits. But he was triple-teamed and tied up with fourth-tenths of a second to play.
Smits, who had sat out all but the final 12.2 seconds of the
fourth quarter, made up for the miss in overtime, scoring six quick
points to give Indiana a 115-108 lead with 2:29 left in the extra
session. He finished with 22 points, one of six Pacers to finish in
double figures as they overcame a career-high 29-point effort by
Portland reserve Bonzi Wells.
"I was a little tight (going into overtime)," Smits said. "I
short-armed a free throw and I remembered I'd been sitting for a
long time. I like being in there at the end. I'm a guy who does
things in bunches. In that kind of situation, it doesn't take long
to get loose."
Wells played a career-high 34 minutes, topping his previous high
by eight minutes. He also had a career-high 11 field goals on just
18 shots.
"Tonight was just my night and the guys kept on feeding me,"
said Wells, a former high school and collegiate star in nearby
Muncie. "Coach gave me a big opportunity tonight. He knew I was
coming home and he gave me some extended minutes. I just wanted to
take advantage of it."
Portland coach Mike Dunleavy was impressed.
"It was a super game for Bonzi. He does a good job of putting
the ball on the floor and making plays," Dunleavy said.
Reggie Miller and Chris Mullin, who made his first start of the
season with Jalen Rose out with the stomach flu, each scored 17 for
Indiana. Dale Davis contributed 12 points and 13 rebounds to the
victory.
"We know we're missing a key pop (without Rose). Chris stepped
up," Jackson said. "That's how you win the whole thing, when guys
like that step up and do the job. It's a great, great lesson for
the young guys: no matter what happens, keep yourself ready. When
he was called on, he was ready."
Rasheed Wallace scored 24 for Portland, which dropped its third
game in four starts as the Pacers raised their home record against
Western Conference teams to 18-0. Arvidas Sabonis had 21 points for
the Trail Blazers.
Jackson's third 3-pointer in the overtime put Indiana ahead
118-110 and Portland never seriously challenged after that.
The fourth quarter was tight all the way and Portland led only
once. A 3-pointer by Wells left Portland trailing 103-100 with 1:51
to go. Sabonis completed a three-point play to tie the score with
1:27 remaining.
Davis made one of two free throws with 1:13 left and Portland took its final lead on a short hook shot by Wells with 53 seconds to go. After Travis Best put Indiana back in front,
Wells tied the game at 106 by hitting the first of two free throws.
But he missed the second to set up the play by Smits.
Indiana built an 18-point lead, 55-37, when Best made two free
throws with 5:18 left in the first half, but then went cold as
Portland went on an 11-1 run.
The Trail Blazers tied the game twice early in the third
quarter, then fell behind by 10 twice in the period, which ended
with the Pacers leading 89-86. Scottie Pippen, who was scoreless in
the first half, had 10 points in the quarter
Game notes
Wallace picked up his league-leading 25th technical foul
when he protested being called for his third personal. ... Indiana
was just the ninth Portland opponent to reach 100 points. ...
Mullin, who has seen limited action this season, left the game late
in the third quarter when he pulled his right calf muscle and did
not return. "I was just getting ready to jump. I flexed my foot,
and it jump popped," Mullin said. ... Indiana swept the season
series with Portland. ... Wells' previous high was 23 points on
Jan. 8 against Phoenix. ... Jackson, who had nine assists, had his
previous season high of 18 on Dec. 30 against Charlotte.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Portland Clubhouse
Indiana Clubhouse
RECAPS
Indiana 127
Portland 119
San Antonio 105
Atlanta 79
Minnesota 100
Dallas 79
Utah 101
Houston 82
LA Lakers 109
Golden State 92
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Reggie Miller is happy to sweep one the West's best.
wav: 137 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Larry Bird's Pacers kept their composure in OT.
wav: 78 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
A disappointed Bonzi Wells says he needs to work on his foul shots.
wav: 84 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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