Streaking Pacers Stop the Magic

The Indiana Pacers hope they’re peaking at the right time and the Orlando Magic hope they’re not slumping at the wrong time.

Reggie Miller scored 29 points and Rik Smits had 24 Friday night as the Pacers beat the Magic, 111-101, at Orlando.

Indiana has won four consecutive games, while the loss was the Magic’s fourth in six home games after beginning the season with 33 consecutive victories at Orlando.

Boston 136, Toronto 108--Dana Barros scored 24 points and Rick Fox had 22 to lead the Celtics to their highest point total of the season at Boston.

Former Celtic Acie Earl scored 40 points for Toronto, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Raptors from losing.

Chicago 112, Philadelphia 82--Michael Jordan scored 23 points and Dennis Rodman had 16 rebounds as the Bulls moved within two victories of the unprecedented 70-win mark at Chicago.

Atlanta 104, Milwaukee 97--Craig Ehlo scored seven points during an 11-3 run in the final 2:50 and the Hawks recovered after blowing a 19-point first-half lead at Atlanta.

Washington 116, Minnesota 106--Juwan Howard had 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bullets, who won their sixth in a row and pulled within one game of the East’s eighth playoff spot with a victory at Landover, Md.

Vancouver 99, Sacramento 98--Blue Edwards’ 10-footer with 43 seconds to play capped a 9-0 run at Vancouver as the Grizzlies won for only the third time in their last 36 games.

NBA Notes

New York Knick forward Charles Oakley will sit out today’s game against the Heat at Miami because of a displaced fracture near his right eye that he suffered when he was inadvertently hit by teammate Patrick Ewing in Tuesday’s victory over Boston. Oakley’s status is day-to-day.