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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Reggie Miller is making things easy for
Indiana coach Isiah Thomas.
|  | | Reggie Miller scored had seven 3-pointers and 29 points Sunday. |
Miller and Jalen Rose each scored 29 points, and the Pacers hit
six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter in a 110-100 victory over
Minnesota on Sunday.
"Reggie's playing fantastic," Thomas said. "What he's given
to our young players is a hope and belief. He didn't give up on the
year. He's been very steady and has inspired a lot of the young
guys on the team. He and Rose were really able to dominate the game
on the offensive end."
Miller matched a season-high with seven 3-pointers, and the
Pacers tied a club record with 14 3-pointers on 19 attempts.
Miller has scored 19, 33, 25 and 29 points during Indiana's
four-game winning streak, tying its longest of the season.
"I don't know how much longer I can hold this up," Miller
said. "Guys are starting to round their game into shape and things
are falling into place for us offensively. Things are clicking for
us. The offense is probably the best it's been within a two-week
period."
The Pacers needed all of those 3-pointers in the fourth after an
18-point lead dropped to five early in the fourth. The Timberwolves
used a 16-8 run in the third quarter to get back in the game.
"Our offense and defense was a little passive at first,"
Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "There's no question we were
the most aggressive team in the third quarter. But to their credit,
they made a lot of 3s."
Austin Croshere, who scored only two points in the first three
quarters, made all three of his 3-point attempts in the fourth,
with the final one pushing the lead back to 11 points. Miller
followed with the sixth of his 3-pointers on the next possession
for a 96-81 lead.
LaPhonso Ellis, who scored 16, made his first 3-pointer of the
game with 2 1/2 minutes remaining to cut the gap to 10, 103-93.
Wally Szczerbiak followed with a basket, making it 103-95. The
Pacers turned the ball over on the ensuing possession, but
Minnesota could not capitalize.
Instead, Travis Best converted a three-point play to put the
lead back at 11, and the Pacers sealed it with free throws.
Zan Tabak added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers.
Kevin Garnett led the Timberwolves with 23 points and 14
rebounds. Szczerbiak had 17 points, and Terrell Brandon had 17
points and 13 assists.
"We didn't turn the ball over, we executed, we shot well. We
just didn't play good defense," Szczerbiak said.
The Pacers led 57-43 at the half, but Al Harrington and Jermaine
O'Neal each missed time with ankle sprains and only played a
combined 27 minutes.
"Basically we won without Jermaine and without Al, and those
are two of our five starters. We've got to get everyone ready to
play and find some consistency. We have to find a way to really
make a run for the playoffs," Rose said.
Game notes
The Pacers' last four-game winning streak was Jan. 13-21.
They have had one five-game winning streak. ... Harrington and
O'Neal started the second half and are probable for Monday's game
at Charlotte. ... The Pacers have won seven straight at home
against the Timberwolves. ... The Pacers' previous high for
3-pointers was nine against Charlotte on Dec. 6. ... It was the
second time this season the Pacers have given up 100 points and
won. They're 2-12 when they allow 100 points. ...The Pacers
outrebounded the Timberwolves 41-30. The 30 rebounds are the fewest
by an Indiana opponent this season.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Minnesota Clubhouse
Indiana Clubhouse
RECAPS
New York 88
Sacramento 86
Indiana 110
Minnesota 100
Phoenix 90
Utah 80
LA Lakers 106
Orlando 100
Milwaukee 122
Golden State 95
Cleveland 101
Detroit 94
New Jersey 101
Washington 91
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