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Doc Rivers fears the worst but Orlando hangs on, 84-82 over Indiana.
Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 26, 2001
ORLANDO -- Reggie Miller lined up for a potential winning shot, and Magic coach Doc Rivers experienced a flashback from his days in New York.
The Magic led by two when Miller sidestepped a flying Tracy McGrady to hoist a three-pointer with 7.3 seconds remaining.
The shot missed, and the Magic escaped with an 84-82 victory.
"Oh, my," Rivers said. "Of all the guys to have a three. Being an ex-Knick, I was already ready to draw up a play. ... Flashbacks just start flying. Fortunately, maybe he can't make those shots against the Magic."
In a 1995 playoff game, Indiana trailed New York by six when Miller hit a three-pointer with 16 seconds left, stole the inbounds pass, stepped behind the line and made another three to tie the score. The Pacers went on to win 107-105. On Sunday, Indiana didn't need a three-pointer to force overtime, but Miller said it was the right decision.
"It was a wide-open look that I missed," Miller said. "On the road, you want to go for the jugular."
Added Indiana coach Isiah Thomas: "Sometimes you make them and sometimes you don't."
McGrady had 28 points and eight rebounds. Darrell Armstrong and Mike Miller scored 14 points each for Orlando.
The Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal made one of his two free throws to cut Orlando's lead to 84-82 with 43.6 seconds left. McGrady missed a 15-foot baseline jumper, but Miller followed with his errant attempt.
O'Neal made 9 of 11 and 8-for-14 from the free-throw line to lead Indiana with 26 points.
Orlando started the third quarter on a 20-4 run and led 68-58 heading into the fourth. McGrady had nine points and Michael Doleac added eight as the Magic made 10 of 18.
"We dug ourselves a hole in the third quarter," Thomas said. "(Orlando) came out with a lot of energy and we came back with the same starting unit that started the game. We could not match their energy."
O'Neal left at 8:57 of the second quarter after a flagrant foul by McGrady. O'Neal was going up for a dunk but fell awkwardly and was helped off the court after staying on the ground a couple of minutes. He returned at 4:30 after a trainer examined his knee.
Orlando's Andrew DeClercq missed his third consecutive game with a strained right calf.