Miller’s Heroics Lead Pacers to 79-78 Victory Over 76ers

Reggie Miller wasn’t thinking about a tie. He was going for the win.

In his latest heroic postseason moment, Miller made a three-point basket with 2.9 seconds left Saturday to lift the Indiana Pacers to a 79-78 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their best-of-five first-round playoff series at Philadelphia.

Miller, who had missed 16 of his first 20 shots, came around a screen and took a pass from Jalen Rose before launching his game-winning shot from 25 feet.

“On the road I always go for three,” Miller said. “I knew it was coming. You knew it was coming. The crowd knew it was coming.”

The 76ers’ final chance ended when Allen Iverson lost his dribble with Miller guarding him and couldn’t get a shot off as time expired.

Game 2 is Tuesday night at Philadelphia.

Miller had 17 points and Jermaine O’Neal added 12 points and a career-high 20 rebounds for Indiana, which rallied from an 18-point second-half deficit.

Iverson, who won his second scoring title in three years by averaging 31.1 points a game, had only 16 points. Aaron McKie added 18 and Dikembe Mutombo had 12 points and 22 rebounds.

Charlotte 106, Miami 80--Jamal Mashburn burned his former team for 28 points as the Hornets routed the Heat at Miami.

Traded in August after four seasons in Miami, Mashburn came to Charlotte with a reputation for wilting in the clutch, but he rose to the occasion Saturday.

“This is the playoffs,” Mashburn said. “It has nothing to do with any personal feelings. I’m just trying to advance and do something I haven’t done--get to the Eastern Conference finals.”

Baron Davis scored 23 points and David Wesley 17 for the Hornets, who repeatedly beat the lethargic Heat in transition and dominated the rebounding. By the midpoint of the third quarter, the Heat trailed, 70-42--its largest deficit this season.

Charlotte’s 106 points are the most given up by Miami this season.

Utah 88, Dallas 86--Karl Malone scored 26 points and John Stockton had 12 points and 18 assists at Salt Lake City as the Jazz scored the final six points and took a 1-0 lead in the series.

Danny Manning scored 12 points for the Jazz, including a three-point basket with 58 seconds remaining. With Utah trailing, 86-82, and facing a do-or-die possession, Malone found Manning open at the top of the key.

“They went down to double-team on Karl,” Manning said. “Karl gave me a great pass. I got a clean look at the basket, and I’m very fortunate it went in.”

Dallas Coach Don Nelson was ejected midway through the fourth quarter for protesting what he thought was a foul on Malone.

After Stockton made two free throws with 25.8 seconds remaining to put the Jazz ahead, 87-86, Dirk Nowitzki drove the lane at the other end. Nowitzki was stripped by Malone and Donyell Marshall came away with the ball before being fouled with 3.3 seconds left.

San Antonio 87, Minnesota 82--Tim Duncan had 33 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks at San Antonio as the Spurs held off the Timberwolves.

“Tim came out with guns blazing tonight,” said David Robinson, who added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs. “There’s nobody that can guard him.”

Duncan’s 15-foot bank shot with 12.7 seconds remaining all but secured the victory for San Antonio, which overcame a poor third quarter and shut down Kevin Garnett in the fourth. Garnett finished with 25 points.

Game 2 is Monday night at the Alamodome.