Pacers Outlast the Bucks

Two days after defeating Milwaukee by 22 points in their first playoff opener, the Indiana Pacers got a much closer game Tuesday night.

But the result was the same.

Dale Davis’ tip-in of a Mark Jackson miss with .5 seconds to go gave Indiana a 108-107 overtime victory over Milwaukee and a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five series.

The victory wasn’t secure until Ray Allen’s desperation shot sailed over the backboard at the buzzer. Glenn Robinson’s jumper with 49.7 seconds to go in overtime had given Milwaukee a 107-106 lead.

Reggie Miller led the Pacers with 30 points, while reserves Sam Perkins and Jalen Rose had 14 apiece for the Pacers.

Allen led Milwaukee with 25 points and Robinson had 23.

Allen’s three-point basket tied the game at 101 with 5.1 seconds left in regulation, and the game went into overtime when Miller’s three-point attempt hit the front of the rim and two tips by Rik Smits were unsuccessful.

Miller scored eight consecutive points late in the fourth quarter as Indiana appeared to take control.

Miller’s layup gave Indiana an 86-85 lead and, after an Allen turnover, he made a three-point shot with 3:21 to play. Less than a minute later, he connected again to put the Pacers ahead, 92-87, in what became a 13-2 run by the Pacers.

Jackson’s three-point basket had begun the run, which ended when Derrick McKey sank two free throws with 1:44 to go to give the Pacers a 94-87 lead.

Milwaukee forced the extra period with an 8-2 spurt in the final 24.3 seconds of regulation. Allen made two free throws to start the run, cutting Indiana’s lead to 99-95. After a turnover by Rose, Haywoode Workman scored on a layup and a free throw with 18.8 seconds to go.

Travis Best put the Pacers ahead, 101-98, with 17 seconds to go, setting the stage for Allen’s big shot.

The series moves to Milwaukee for Game 3 on Thursday.