AROUND THE NBA

Indiana will regain guard Reggie Miller for Friday’s Game 6 at Philadelphia against the 76ers but Pacer Coach Larry Bird said his team needs more.

“We’ve got to play. We’ve got to meet their intensity,” said Bird of the Pacers, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, but have lost two in a row. “Reggie helps, but we can’t rely on him. We have to meet their force.”

Miller and the 76ers’ Matt Geiger were suspended after a fight in Game 4 and did not play Monday. Geiger is suspended for one more game because he instigated the scuffle with two flagrant fouls.

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Former Dallas Maverick forward Leon Smith was sentenced to 18 months of probation in Chicago for severely damaging the car of his ex-girlfriend’s mother last Dec. 4. Smith pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor criminal damage to property. Now a free agent, Smith is looking for a new team. . . . New Jersey Net forward Scott Burrell underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in New York, the team announced. . . . The NBA is reportedly in talks with New York’s Rucker League about putting the popular playground games on the league’s television channel. The NBA would carry Tuesday night games on NBA.com TV, the league’s 24-hour satellite and digital cable channel.