By Johnnie Clay – Pacers Insider
November 15, 2003 - 11:00 PM
Reggie Miller returned to his “second home” this evening, and he didn’t disappoint. Miller scored 31 points but it was Jermaine O’Neal’s 6-foot jump shot with seconds remaining to give the Pacers a dramatic 95-94 victory over the New York Knicks tonight.
O’Neal’s shot came with just six seconds left, bringing the Pacers back after another third quarter collapse. The Pacers, who destroyed the Seattle Supersonics less than twenty-four hours ago, were doing the same thing this evening against the Knicks, quickly jumping out a commanding 34-19 first quarter lead.
The Knicks took charge once the second quarter began, chopping away slowly at the huge Pacers lead, getting as close as ten points, only to see the Pacers push the lead back up again. A late run by the Knicks cut the Pacers lead to just nine points, trailing 56-48 at halftime.
The third quarter started off as the second quarter had ended, with the Knicks running. Only this time they wouldn’t stop until they caught the Pacers, outscoring them 27-13 that quarter, seizing the lead at 65-63.
The lead went back and forth between the two teams throughout the remainder of the game. The Knicks appeared to have the game squared away late when a three-pointer game them a 94-89 lead, but just as it’s been now for the past decade, it was “Miller time.”
Miller’s long range three-pointer cut the Knicks lead down to 92-94. The Pacers hit a free throw to reduce the deficit to only one, 93-94 with less than ten seconds remaining, setting up another dramatic conclusion in a series, which has become the league’s best rivalry over the past ten years.
The Pacers had the ball with less than ten seconds remaining, when Al Harrington’s jump shot, fell short but Jermaine O’Neal leaped up and took the rebound away from the Knicks, turning around and hitting the game-winning shot with under four seconds left.
O’Neal finished the game with 14 points, and 6 rebounds, but it was the sixth rebound that paved the way for the game winning bucket.
But the Knicks weren’t dead just yet. Receiving the ball at half court, the Knicks had one last shot with 3.5 seconds left to play. Their last minute shot, bounced off the rim, giving the Pacers their seventh win out of their last eight games, improving their record to 8-2, tying the Pacers with the Los Angeles Lakers for the best record in the NBA. Their 5-0 road record is currently the best in the NBA as well.
For the Pacers this evening, Ron Artest continued his amazing play by scoring 21 points and 3 rebounds, showing why he was voted player of the week in the East.
Jeff Foster slowly came back to Earth, after scoring 19 points last night against Seattle, Foster scored 2 points tonight, but bringing down 5 rebounds and 4 steals.
Off the bench, Anthony Johnson played solidly, scoring 11 points, 3 rebounds and 4 steals. Al Harrington and Austin Croshere scored 5 and 6 points respectively during their time on the floor as well.
The Knicks had five players in double figures for the evening, with Keith Van Horn and Allen Houston sharing the honor of top scorer with 16 points a piece
As a team, the Pacers finished game shooting 46%, (33-72) while the Knicks shot 49% (39-80) in a losing effort.
The Pacers are off until Wednesday, when they face the Los Angeles Clippers at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Gametime Wednesday is at 6pm (EST)
Great Pacers win! Also last night some of the ESPN people were giving the Pacers credit and saying they would have a good chance to maybe upset the west in the finals. However, I am taking it one game at a time and this was a great win. I think last years Pacer team would have folded after letting the big lead go away. Great over all job by the Pacers and Reggie Miller!
You know, they did that same collaspe earlier this week against Boston. I think Carlisle took them aside and said "look, this isn't last year...just play your game and our defense."
I admire them tonight for fighting after the Knicks caught up to them and took the lead. They could've paniced and said, "oh no...here we go again." But I think Carlisle and staff kept the team focused. But you are right, one game at a time.
REGGIE, REGGIE, REGGIE!!!
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