Hardaway Helps the Pacers Rout Bulls

Brad Miller was healthy again, Tim Hardaway was in the lineup for the first time and it added up for a lopsided victory for the Indiana Pacers.

Miller had 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Hardaway scored 14 points a day after he was signed as a free agent to lead the Pacers past the Chicago Bulls, 140-89, Friday night at Indianapolis.

Hardaway, 36, had been working as a television analyst after finishing last season on Denver’s injured list with a broken foot.

Miller returned to the lineup last weekend after sitting out five games with an injured left foot. He scored a combined seven points in his first two games back.

Indiana shot 62% and nearly handed the Bulls the most one-sided loss in their history. They were beaten, 127-74, at Minnesota on Nov. 8, 2001.

Boston 104, Cleveland 95 -- The Celtics won at home to move into a tie with Orlando for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. They had been as high as fourth before going on a six-game losing streak.

Ricky Davis had 31 points, 10 assists and six rebounds for Cleveland (14-58), which has the worst record in the NBA, just behind Denver (16-56). The Cavaliers need two more victories to avoid posting the worst record in franchise history.

New Jersey 122, New York 101 -- The Nets scored 74 first-half points and shot 62% from the the field at Madison Square Garden as they increased their Atlantic Division lead over Philadelphia to 1 1/2 games.

Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 39 points. Allan Houston scored 27 for the Knicks, but his five turnovers in the first quarter enabled the Nets, who used a 20-6 run, take a lead they never relinquished.

New Orleans 101, Toronto 92 -- At Toronto, Jamal Mashburn scored 27 points and Baron Davis had 22 points and 11 assists to lead the Hornets, who swept the season series, 4-0.

Raptor Coach Lenny Wilkens is one loss away from tying Bill Fitch for the most by an NBA coach (1,006).

Golden State 102, Philadelphia 98 -- Earl Boykins scored 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter as the Warriors withstood a strong comeback by the 76ers at Philadelphia.

A three-point basket by Keith Van Horn pulled Philadelphia to within 100-98 with 1:18 left, but Boykins grabbed an offensive rebound and Gilbert Arenas scored with 17.7 seconds left to clinch the victory.

Miami 111, Minnesota 84 -- The Heat overcame an 18-point deficit -- the Timberwolves led, 37-19, before it finished the half with a 29-12 run -- as it had its largest margin of victory at home this season.

Rookie Caron Butler scored 35 points to lead Miami. He led led seven players in double figures as the Heat shot a season-best 62%.

Phoenix 94, Detroit 91 -- Stephon Marbury scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter at Auburn Hills, Mich., to help the Suns move one game ahead of idle Houston for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

Utah 103, Milwaukee 90 -- The Jazz matched its longest winning streak of the season at six by beating the Bucks at Salt Lake City.

Utah handed Milwaukee its third loss in a row. The Bucks have lost eight of their last 11 and are a half game behind Washington for the No. 8 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Seattle 95, Memphis 71 -- The SuperSonics overcame the absence of Rashard Lewis to easily beat the Grizzlies at Seattle. Lewis was saving himself for Sunday’s game against the Lakers. He hurt his right knee, right elbow and right wrist in Wednesday’s loss to Washington.

Portland 112, Dallas 95 -- Dale Davis scored all 16 of his points during a 44-point third quarter to help the host Trail Blazers end a three-game losing streak.