Pacers Break Team Record With Victory

Four years ago, Larry Brown coached Indiana to a franchise-record 17 consecutive victories at home. On Monday night, he was an unwilling spectator as the Pacers broke the record by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers, 109-84, at Indianapolis.

“They were great,” Brown said of the Pacers, who shot 54%, outrebounded the 76ers, 43-39, and blocked 12 shots. “They shot well and defended well.”

Reggie Miller overcame a slow start to score a season-high 32 points despite sitting out the fourth quarter, and the Pacers limited Allen Iverson to 14 points.

Iverson, who matched his career high with 50 points Sunday in a 119-108 triumph over Sacramento, made only six of 19 shots.

“I thought we did a great job of swarming to the ball each time he put it on the floor,” said Travis Best, one of four Indiana guards that helped hold the league scoring leader 17 points below his average.

Theo Ratliff led Philadelphia in scoring for the first time this season with 16 points.

Portland 115, Milwaukee 111--Steve Smith had 24 points and made a key jumper with 34 seconds left as the Trail Blazers defeated the Bucks at Milwaukee for their ninth victory in 10 games.

Portland, which improved its road record to 20-8 and finished its Eastern swing with a 3-1 record, raised its league-best record to 37-11. The Bucks have lost three of their last four.

Glenn Robinson led the Bucks with 27 points.

Charlotte 95, New York 85--Eddie Jones scored a season-high 34 points and the Hornets made a season-best 10 three-pointers to hold off the Knicks at Charlotte, N.C.

Derrick Coleman added 29 points and 13 rebounds as Charlotte improved to 19-3 at home and sent the Knicks to their fourth consecutive road loss.

Allan Houston led the Knicks with 26 points.

Orlando 120, Golden State 100--John Amaechi scored 23 of his career-high 25 points in the first half as the Magic routed the Warriors at Orlando, Fla.

Antawn Jamison led Golden State with 22 points.

Around the League

Less than 3% of NBA players reportedly failed drug tests during training camp. Out of the 430 players on opening-night rosters, 12 tested positive for marijuana, according to Monday’s editions of the New York Times. The 12 players, who were not identified, face five-game suspensions if they test positive three times. . . . New York Knick forward Marcus Camby will have exploratory knee surgery today in New York. Camby partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee when he was flagrantly fouled by P.J. Brown of Miami on Sunday. Knick team physician Norman Scott said Tuesday’s arthroscopic surgery will reveal whether Camby will be out for an estimated eight weeks or require season-ending surgery. . . . Shawn Kemp of the Cleveland Cavaliers was fined $10,000, and Coach Dan Issel and Nick Van Exel of the Denver Nuggets were fined $7,500 each for conduct toward officials. . . . Orlando Arena took on a new name, becoming the TD Waterhouse Centre under a naming rights agreement that will pay the parent company of the Orlando Magic, Miracle and Solar Bears more than $5 million over five years.