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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Reggie Miller still has his shooting touch
and is as dangerous as ever.
Miller scored 24 points, including four 3-pointers, became the
first NBA player to accumulate 2,000 3-pointers and led the Pacers
to a 101-95 come-from-behind victory over Sacramento.
|  | | On Reggie Miller's day, Travis Best hurt the Kings with 14 points and 12 assists. |
"He's so unbelievable and he's so marvelous at what he does and
he's been doing it for so long, you almost take it for granted,"
Pacers coach Isiah Thomas said. "There have been a lot of great
players, a lot of great shooters in this league and nobody has
accomplished what he just did."
Miller's 2,000th career 3-pointer came 4:48 into the third
quarter – just 55 seconds after a 20-foot jumper made him the 21st
player in NBA history to score 21,000 points.
But Miller didn't even hesitate when the crowd gave him a
standing ovation.
He rushed in for one of his eight rebounds on the Pacers' next
possession, then tried to draw a charge on the defensive end.
It was vintage Miller – looking for his shot, being aggressive,
taking charge against one of the NBA's best teams.
"At that point in time, we were making a comeback to get into
the game," Miller said. "It gave us life out there."
This time, Miller also had a strong supporting cast. Al
Harrington scored 17 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds.
Jermaine O'Neal had 12 points and 15 rebounds. Reserve Austin
Croshere scored 17 points, and Travis Best added 14.
Miller also played a prominent role as the Pacers shut out
Sacramento for 4:32 in the fourth quarter, which allowed Indiana to
retake control of the game and drop the Pacific Division-leading
Kings into second place – ½ game behind the Los Angeles Lakers.
It wasn't at all what Sacramento coach Rick Adelman wanted.
"I don't think we've played very well either game," he said,
referring to the Kings' two losses to Indiana. "They have taken it
to us for whatever reason. Their guys played well today, Harrington
and O'Neal and Croshere and Reggie. Reggie got it going."
But it wasn't until the Pacers started to struggle that Miller
started producing.
The Kings, who trailed the entire first half, finally tied the
score at 48 and took their first lead on an 18-footer from Chris
Webber with 8:57 left in the third quarter.
Miller tied it at 52 on a 20-footer and then gave Indiana the
lead at 55-54 on his milestone 3-pointer.
The Kings followed that with a 13-2 spurt, which put Indiana in
a 65-58 hole midway through the period.
The Pacers, behind Miller, rallied. They closed the quarter on a
10-1 run and opened the fourth on an 11-3 run for an 83-73 edge
with 8:10 to go.
Sacramento fought back. Behind Predrag Stojakovic, who had 27
points, and Webber, who had 26 points and 15 rebounds, the Kings
twice closed within three but never had a chance to win.
That gave Miller and his Pacers reason to celebrate.
"You look at the pioneers that have paved the way for players
like myself," Miller said. "Sometimes, you just sit back and
scratch your head. I'm very thankful and very blessed to have the
opportunity to play this game."
Game notes
Indiana is one of four teams – and the only Eastern
Conference team – to have beaten the Kings twice this season. ...
Indiana is 11-26 against teams with a winning percentage or at
least .500 and 10-16 against the Western Conference.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Sacramento Clubhouse
Indiana Clubhouse
RECAPS
LA Lakers 95
Orlando 90
Indiana 101
Sacramento 95
Minnesota 91
Cleveland 76
Milwaukee 100
Detroit 96
Seattle 104
Golden State 99
Utah 111
LA Clippers 96
Denver 98
New Jersey 84
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