'Miller Time' As Pacers Sink Knicks

Call this one "Reggie Miller Kills The Knicks, Chapter III," with huge co-starring roles for Rik Smits and Mark Jackson.

Miller tormented New York one more time Sunday, making a game-tying 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds left in regulation and a finishing touch 3-pointer with 1:28 left in overtime as the Indiana Pacers took a 3-1 second-round series lead over the Knicks with a 118-107 victory Sunday.

It was the latest episode of Miller saving his best for Madison Square Garden, the place where he had two of his greatest career playoff moments in 1994 (25 points in the fourth quarter) and 1995 (8 points in the final 8.9 seconds)

This time, he had some help.

Smits scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, almost single-handedly bringing the Pacers back from a late eight-point deficit, and Jackson scored five straight points in overtime as Indiana quickly took control.

Miller finished the job with 1:28 left by making a 3-pointer from the same spot as his earlier one, shooting a stare at Spike Lee after the ball swished through.

He finished with 38 points, one short of his career playoff-high set against New York in 1994. Jackson added 16 points and 15 assists, Chris Mullin scored 18 and the Pacers shot 10-for-23 from 3-point range.

The series resumes Wednesday night in Indianapolis, with Game 6 back in New York on Friday night, if necessary.

"It will be a dogfight Wednesday," Miller said. "There's no guarantee that it's over."

Allan Houston and John Starks led a balanced attack for New York with 19 points apiece, but Houston scored only one point in the second half and missed the final shot of regulation after the Knicks were left stunned by Miller's 3-pointer.

Larry Johnson added 18 points, Patrick Ewing had 17 and Charlie Ward 13.

The Knicks seemed to be in control as they led 100-93 with 3:47 left, but they would miss their next five shots - two of which were blocked by Game 2 hero Antonio Davis.

Davis sank two free throws to make it 100-99 with 58.4 seconds left, then blocked Larry Johnson's shot the next time down. Starks made two free throws with 19.3 seconds left, giving Indiana one more chance to tie.

After Smits missed a 5-footer, the rebound was batted out to the 3-point line and Jackson swung it to Miller, who made the 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds left.

"I was really surprised I was so open," Miller said. "Those are the scariest shots to take."

Houston attempted a runner from the lane just before the final buzzer, but he went off the wrong foot, his shot was short and the game went to overtime.

Jackson made quick work of the Knicks from there, making a 3-pointer and a driving layup in the first 85 seconds.

New York then missed three straight shots and committed three turnovrs, and Miller ended all doubt by making his final 3-pointer for a 112-102 lead with 1:28 left.

Chris Childs scored seven straight points for New York early in the fourth, and a 3-pointer by Ward with seven minutes left gave the Knicks a 93-87 lead.

After the teams traded baskets, Childs threw an alley-oop pass to Ewing that he was barely able to reach. But rather than try to score off the pass, Ewing simply redirected it to Johnson for a layup that made it 97-89 with 4:55 left.

That, however, would be the Knicks' final field goal until 1:23 remained in overtime.

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