Miller Can’t Stop the Nets

Another playoff miracle by Reggie Miller, a banked-in three-point shot at the buzzer in regulation, couldn’t stop Jason Kidd from leading the New Jersey Nets out of the first round for the first time in 18 years.

Kidd scored 20 of his career-playoff best 31 points in the fourth quarter and two overtimes and the Nets ousted Miller and the Pacers, 120-109, Thursday night in the deciding Game 5 of their first-round series.

Miller was at his best under pressure, scoring from 35 feet to force overtime and tying the score again on a two-handed dunk with 3.1 seconds left in the first overtime. But he went 0 for 4 in the second overtime--all on three-point shots.

It marked only the second time since the Nets joined the NBA in 1976-77 that they have made it out of the first round. The only other time was in 1984.

“To do that for this franchise means a lot to me and my teammates,” said Kenyon Martin, who added 29 points. Keith Van Horn had 27 before fouling out as New Jersey advanced to a best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal against the Charlotte Hornets.

Miller had 31 points in only the third series-deciding playoff game in history to go to double-overtime.

Miller’s miraculous three-pointer that barely beat the buzzer--the initial replay seemed to support the officials but the second showed Miller with the ball still in his hands as time expired--almost ended the greatest season in Nets’ history.

Kidd wouldn’t let it happen.

Even though his jumper at the end of the first overtime went in and out, Kidd set up a three-point play by Kerry Kittles and then added a jumper with 3:07 left to give the Nets a lead they never lost.

“We just left it all on the court,” Martin said. “It was Game 5, we wanted to take it. J. Kidd stepped up and showed why he’s MVP.”

Mercer scored for Indiana to make it 112-109 with 2:45 left, but the Pacers went scoreless afterward.

The Nets seemingly had the series locked up after Kevin Ollie missed a drive down the lane with five seconds to play and New Jersey ahead, 96-93.

Richard Jefferson got the rebound and needed to make one of two free throws to ice the game.

Jefferson missed both, however, and the Pacers rushed the ball upcourt for Miller’s heroics.