Injury to Sideline Pacers’ Miller for Three Weeks

The Indiana Pacers, eliminated in the seventh game of the Eastern Conference finals the past two years, will go into the playoffs this year without leading scorer Reggie Miller.

Miller underwent surgery Sunday night at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis to repair a broken eye socket. He will be out at least three weeks, said Dr. Sanford Kunkel, the Pacers’ team doctor.

Miller was injured during Indiana’s 91-86 victory over Detroit on Saturday when he collided with Otis Thorpe and Allan Houston.

“Everything went absolutely perfect,” Kunkel said of the 30-minute reconstructive surgery of Miller’s right orbit. “There were no complications, nothing out of the ordinary.”

Miller probably will go home today and rest for at least a week before working out, Kunkel said.

Detroit 105, Boston 96--Grant Hill had 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, helping the Pistons clinch their first playoff spot since 1991-92 with an overtime victory at Auburn Hills, Mich.

The Pistons, who defeated Boston for only the second time in nine games, outscored the Celtics, 14-5, in the extra session after Boston had an 11-2 run in the final two minutes of regulation.

Milwaukee 114, Orlando 101--The hapless Bucks, who will be the Bulls’ opponent Tuesday when Chicago shoots for a record 70th victory, upset the Magic behind Vin Baker’s 27 points at Milwaukee.

Johnny Newman, taking advantage of the absence of Magic guard Anfernee Hardaway, added 25 as the Bucks won for only the fourth time in 28 games. Hardaway left 2:45 into the game after aggravating his sprained right ankle.

Denver 98, Minnesota 91--Without Dikembe Mutombo, the Nuggets still had no trouble winning at Minnesota.

Antonio McDyess scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Nuggets kept their playoff hopes alive, even without Mutombo, sitting out his second consecutive game because of a sore hamstring.

Portland 81, Vancouver 79--Cliff Robinson scored 23 points and James Robinson added 15 as the Trail Blazers won at Vancouver.

Vancouver went on an 11-0 run to take a one-point lead with two minutes left, but James Robinson made a three-point shot one minute later to pull his team into a 79-79 tie. Arvydas Sabonis and Aaron McKie connected on one foul shot apiece for the final margin.

Washington 110, Toronto 97--Juwan Howard scored 29 points and Calbert Cheaney added 22 as the host Bullets won their season-high seventh consecutive game.

Brent Price scored 13 and Tim Legler contributed 20 off the bench for the Bullets, who remain in contention for the East’s final playoff spot.

Charlotte 94, Philadelphia 78--The Hornets moved into a tie with idle Miami for the eighth playoff spot in the East by pulling away in the fourth quarter at Philadelphia.

Glen Rice scored 19 points, Larry Johnson had 18, Kenny Anderson 14 and Dell Curry had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Atlanta 99, New Jersey 90--Grant Long had 23 points and 14 rebounds and Stacey Augmon and Mookie Blaylock each scored 21 as the Hawks handed the host Nets their sixth consecutive loss.

Golden State 93, Utah 82--Latrell Sprewell had 30 points and the Warriors used a 10-point run late in the third period to defeat the Jazz at Oakland.

The victory left Golden State 1 1/2 games behind Sacramento for the final playoff spot in the West.