Miller Knocks Out Knicks, Rubs It In : NBA playoffs: He scores eight points in nine seconds as Pacers close strongly to win, 107-105.

Reggie Miller scored eight points in a nine-second span as the Indiana Pacers, trailing by six points with 18 seconds left, came back for a 107-105 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

A year ago, Miller scored 25 points in the fourth quarter as Indiana took a 3-2 lead over the Knicks in the conference finals, only to lose the last two games.

This time, Miller’s performance was so sudden, so shocking, as he put it, “It was like putting a dagger in their back.”

Knick center Patrick Ewing, outscored by Rik Smits, 34-11, said: “This is worse than last year because we had it won this time.”

Although he denied it in the postgame news conference, Miller was overheard hollering in the tunnel leading to the locker room: “Choke artists! Choke artists!”

Miller said later: “When you’re down six with 15-20 seconds left, it doesn’t look good. But you can never give up.”

The closing sequence started with the Pacers seemingly beaten when Greg Anthony’s two free throws put the Knicks ahead, 105-99, with 18 seconds to go.

But Miller, who didn’t have a fourth-quarter field goal until the final minute, made a three-point shot with 16 seconds left, then stole the inbounds pass, stepped behind the line and tied the game.

John Starks missed two free throws at the other end, and Ewing got the rebound but missed a short jumper. Miller was fouled on the play and made two free throws with 7.5 seconds left. Anthony stumbled on New York’s final possession, and the clock ran out.

Of the six-point deficit, Miller said: “If you can hit a quick three-pointer, you know you have a chance. Then when Anthony Mason almost stumbled throwing the ball in, I thought I could make the steal, but I didn’t expect him to throw it right to me.”

Miller, who scored 31 points, sprinted to the area near Spike Lee’s seat as time expired, taunting the movie director as he did after his big performance last year.