Miller Scores 57 as Pacers Win, 134-122

The Indianapolis Pacers held a two-hour team meeting Saturday, during which the players urged Reggie Miller to shoot more.

He took their advice and scored 57 points--the most in the NBA in three seasons--leading the Pacers to a 134-122 victory Saturday night over the Charlotte Hornets.

Miller, who scored 45 points in the second and third quarters, made 16 of 29 shots--including four three-pointers. He also made 21 of 23 free throws.

“I wasn’t being Reggie, and enough was enough,” Miller said. “I’m ready to reclaim my title and that is being the second-best shooting guard in the East.”

Rookie Alonzo Mourning scored 30 points for the Hornets and Dell Curry had 19.

Miller eclipsed the NBA season-high of 54 points, set by Michael Jordan. It was the highest point total since Tom Chambers had 60 for Phoenix in March 1990.

“I don’t think I’ll ever score 60 points,” Miller said. “I’ll leave that to Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal, once he gets situated.”

Miller’s previous career high was 44, set against the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 10, 1990. He also broke the club’s single-game NBA scoring record of 52 set by Billy Knight on Nov. 11, 1980. George McGinnis scored 58 points for the ABA Pacers against Dallas on Nov. 28, 1972.

Jordan had 54 points in the Bulls’ double-overtime loss to the Lakers on Nov. 20. Miller scored his 54th point on a free throw with 4:03 left.

“I just wanted to get into the flow early in the game,” Miller said. “I was trying to get everyone else acclimated to the system in our other games. It’s nice that my teammates have confidence in me.”