Miller Helps Pacers Hold Off Wizards

The Indiana Pacers taught the Washington Wizards a lesson in how to survive a fourth-quarter comeback by a weaker team.

The Pacers blew an 11-point lead in the final period, but held the Wizards scoreless over the last 2:07 and made five of six free throws in the final minute in Thursday night’s 95-91 victory at Washington.

Reggie Miller led the Pacers with 20 points. He had taken the blame for a loss to Chicago Tuesday night, saying his 12-point performance was “horrible.” He redeemed himself against Washington, and after making two free throws with 13.4 seconds left, blew imaginary smoke off his fingers before putting them in imaginary holsters.

“Gotta move on,” Miller said. “That [Chicago] game left a bad taste in my mouth, but you can’t hang onto games. There’s too many of them in this league.”

Atlanta 84, Milwaukee 81--Steve Smith made a go-ahead basket and Eldridge Recasner made two free throws with 4.3 seconds left to help the Hawks win at Atlanta. Ray Allen missed a last-second shot from the corner for the Bucks, who lost their eighth straight game.

Portland 82, New York 77--Arvydas Sabonis and Brian Grant scored 21 points each for the Trail Blazers, who despite several late mistakes and failing to score a basket in the final four minutes, won at New York.

New Jersey 93, Orlando 87--Kendall Gill made a go-ahead jump shot with 1:54 to play for the Nets, who won at East Rutherford, N.J.

Toronto 104, Denver 103--Chauncey Billups, held scoreless in the first three quarters, scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and six in overtime for the Raptors at Toronto.

Houston 105, Boston 96--Hakeem Olajuwon scored 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter at Houston for the Rockets, who won their fifth game in a row and handed the Celtics to their sixth consecutive defeat.

Dallas 88, Golden State 82--Shawn Bradley had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Eric Riley scored 16 points for the Mavericks, who blew a 10-point lead in the final 2:46 of regulation, then won at Dallas in overtime.

Cleveland 90, Sacramento 85--Shawn Kemp scored 19 points and Derek Anderson had 18 for the Cavaliers at Sacramento.