Pacers’ Sweep Is Rejected After Miller, Geiger Ejected

The Indiana Pacers excelled without Reggie Miller for more than a quarter. Now they might have to play without him for an entire game.

Miller and Philadelphia’s Matt Geiger were ejected with 1:19 left in the third quarter of the 76ers’ 92-90 victory over Indiana in Game 4 Saturday. Both are subject to suspensions for Game 5 on Monday.

Indiana leads the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals, 3-1, after overcoming an 18-point deficit and taking a five-point lead without Miller, then losing down the stretch.

“I hope Reggie is allowed to play,” 76er Coach Larry Brown said. “I respect Reggie for what he did. We talked about giving hard fouls. It’s just unfortunate how it happened.”

After Geiger knocked Miller to the floor late in the third quarter, Geiger’s second flagrant foul, Miller retaliated. He rushed Geiger and took a swipe at the 7-footer’s face, connecting with a left hand.

The 76ers led, 79-61, at the time of the ejections. Both players left the building before the game ended and weren’t available for comment.

“I do think they were cheap shots, but at the same time, that’s playoff basketball,” Indiana guard Jalen Rose said.

The Pacers scored the next 15 points after the fight. The 76ers came back, but Indiana had a chance at the end. Travis Best missed two long jump shots in the final seconds, including a three-point try as time expired that could have ended the series.

“I was so angry. I didn’t think about it,” Brown said of the last shot. “I felt bad for what happened to Reggie Miller and for giving up an 18-point lead.”

No NBA team has won a series after trailing, 3-0, but Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson feels it’s a matter of time.

“Somebody’s got to do it someday. It might as well be us,” Iverson said. “We have another shot. We live to see tomorrow.”

Tyrone Hill put back Iverson’s miss to give the 76ers a 91-90 lead with 42 seconds left. Rose missed a layup with 8.9 seconds left, and Toni Kukoc was fouled after he grabbed the rebound. He made one free throw to make it 92-90 with 8.5 seconds left.

Best barely missed both shots in the final seconds, sending the series to Indianapolis for Game 5.

Iverson scored 19 points and Hill had 18 to lead the 76ers, who were swept by Indiana last season.

Rik Smits scored 20 points, and Rose and Miller each added 16 for the Pacers.

“Tyrone Hill was phenomenal,” Brown said. “He just willed us to win.”

Hill had 15 rebounds as the 76ers outrebounded the Pacers, 53-37, including 20-9 on the offensive end.

The 76ers appeared to be coasting to an easy victory until Geiger knocked Miller to the floor.

The ensuing melee and Miller’s ejection invigorated the Pacers. Indiana scored 10 consecutive points to end the quarter and five more to open the fourth, closing to 79-76 on a three-point basket by Rose.

Hill ended the 15-0 run with a dunk and a free throw to complete a three-point play, giving the 76ers an 82-76 lead. Philadelphia went 5:03 without a point.

But Indiana, playing with Rose and four reserves, wouldn’t go away. Chris Mullin tied the score at 85-85 with a three-point basket with 4:25 left. Best’s driving layup and a three-point basket put Indiana ahead, 90-85, with 3:06 left.

“It was no coincidence that we picked up our intensity after both flagrant fouls,” Indiana Coach Larry Bird said. “Matt was trying to take him out.”

Aaron McKie answered Best’s three-point basket with one of his own to make it 90-88. A free throw by Theo Ratliff brought the 76ers to within one, setting up the final minute.