Hardaway Proves He Isn’t Finished

Perhaps it’s too early to write off Tim Hardaway. Miami Heat Coach Pat Riley certainly hasn’t.

The 34-year-old point guard scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half and added eight assists as the Heat extended its winning streak to four games Sunday at Miami by defeating the San Antonio Spurs, 88-83.

“For all of you guys that ever have a notion about retiring Tim Hardaway, this is why he’s here,” Riley said.

Hardaway’s three-point basket with 20.7 seconds left gave Miami an 86-81 lead. He made five of eight three-point attempts and clinched the victory with two free throws with 10.3 seconds left.

His late three-pointer came with San Antonio’s David Robinson in his face.

“I had a good look at it,” Hardaway said. “[Robinson] thought I was going to pick and roll. I surprised him and took a three. He just looked at me.”

Tim Duncan had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs, whose three-game winning streak ended. San Antonio, 26-6 since late January, has won nine of its last 11.

Orlando 84, Indiana 82--Reggie Miller lined up for a potential game-winning shot, and Magic Coach Doc Rivers experienced a flashback from his days in New York when Miller gave the Knicks problems.

The Magic were ahead by two points when Miller sidestepped a flying Tracy McGrady to attempt a three-point shot with 7.3 seconds left at Orlando, Fla. He missed.

“Oh, my,” Rivers said. “Of all the guys to have a three. Being an ex-Knick, I was already ready to draw up a play for two. Flashbacks just start flying. Fortunately, maybe he can’t make those shots against the Magic.”

Indiana didn’t need a three-pointer to force overtime, but Miller said it was the right decision.

“It was a wide-open look that I missed,” Miller said. “On the road, you want to go for the jugular. I had McGrady in the air for a step-back three. I got my feet set and I felt pretty good about it.”

Boston 102, Chicago 98--Paul Pierce scored 13 of his 36 points during the final 3 1/2 minutes at Boston to help the Celtics pull into a tie for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

With a 31-38 record, the Celtics are even with the Indiana Pacers, who lost to Orlando. Each team has 13 games left.

The victory also helped Boston avoid another embarrassing home loss to the Bulls. Chicago has won only two road games this season--one of them a 104-86 victory on Dec. 13.

Milwaukee 105, Atlanta 98--The Bucks, who trailed by 17 points with four minutes left in the third quarter at Milwaukee, won their fifth in a row and increased their lead to 4 1/2 games over Charlotte in the Central Division.

Milwaukee came back, thanks to a 15-0 run early in the fourth quarter. The Bucks took a 97-90 lead with 3:37 left, with consecutive three-pointers by Ray Allen, Sam Cassell and Tim Thomas.

Atlanta’s Toni Kukoc scored a season-high 31 points, including 19 in the first quarter.

Toronto 102, Vancouver 92--The Grizzlies were little more than spectators at times during what probably was the last meeting between Canada’s NBA teams. Vince Carter scored 24 points at Toronto to help the Raptors hand the Grizzlies their ninth consecutive loss.

Vancouver owner Michael Heisley has until today to inform the NBA where he wants to move the team. Memphis, Tenn., Louisville, Ky., New Orleans and Anaheim are the possibilities.

“We’re definitely not focused as we could be,” Vancouver’s Shareef Abdur-Rahim said. “We probably have some guys that have gone home already, but that’s what makes us a bad team.”

Abdur-Rahim had 26 points for the Grizzlies, who finished their trip winless in eight games.

Minnesota 105, New Jersey 91--Terrell Brandon scored a career-high 34 points at Minneapolis against the player he replaced as the Timberwolves’ point guard. He made 15 of 25 shots and added six assists.

Stephon Marbury scored 32 points against his former team. The Timberwolves traded him to the Nets in the March 11, 1999 deal that brought Brandon from Milwaukee.

Around the League

The Minnesota Timberwolves put guard Anthony Peeler (sprained left ankle) on the injured list and activated guard Sam Jacobson.