It’s a Victory Party for Miller and Pacers

Amid chants of “Reg-gie! Reg-gie!” and a plea for “one more year,” Reggie Miller played his final regular-season game after 18 seasons.

Thanks to Jermaine O’Neal and Anthony Johnson, his farewell party Wednesday night at Indianapolis was a success.

“There was so much surrounding this game, trying to stay focused,” Miller said after an 85-83 victory over Chicago. “You look around the arena, you have your family in, it’s tough. I was emotional the whole time.”

Miller is retiring with 25,279 points, 12th in NBA career scoring, and the victory guaranteed the Pacers the sixth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and a first-round series against Boston.

O’Neal had 21 points and Johnson had 20, scoring the go-ahead basket and a clinching three-point basket in the final minute. Had the Pacers lost, they would have opened at Detroit, the site of their brawl with fans early in the season.

After leading the league with 61 victories last season, the Pacers were hurt by injuries and by suspensions after the brawl and finished 44-38.

“We’ve got a chance. Obviously, we won’t be at full strength, but who cares?” Miller said of Indiana’s playoff hopes. “We have to find ways to win ball games.”

Ron Artest, who was suspended the rest of the season after the brawl, watched the game from the Indiana bench. Afterward, during a postgame ceremony on the darkened court, Miller, who finished with 12 points, spoke to Indiana fans.

“We have laughed, we have cried, we have celebrated all together, I was a young and, I will admit, very immature young man coming in at 21,” he said. “But the people of Indianapolis have really matured me into a more settled 39-year-old as I go.

“I want to thank you guys for opening your hearts to me each and every night that we played.”

Sacramento 132, Phoenix 107 -- Bobby Jackson had 15 points, six rebounds and five assists in his first game in four months as the Kings completed their fifth consecutive 50-victory season at Sacramento.

Golden State 106, Utah 89 -- Baron Davis had 23 points and nine assists at Oakland as the Warriors took a season series from the Jazz for the first time in 11 years.

Philadelphia 110, Atlanta 86 -- Allen Iverson scored all 16 of his points in the first quarter at Philadelphia to put the finishing touches on his fourth scoring title as the 76ers finished with the No. 7 spot for the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Miami 98, Orlando 93 -- With Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade watching from the bench, Keyon Dooling scored 19 points to lead the Heat at Orlando, Fla.

Minnesota 95, San Antonio 73 -- The Timberwolves’ lost season came to an end with a victory over the Spurs at Minneapolis. Ndudi Ebi had 18 points and eight rebounds for Minnesota.

Charlotte 97, Detroit 86 -- Emeka Okafor had 16 points and 19 rebounds at Charlotte, N.C., and the Bobcats completed their first season with a victory to stop the Pistons’ 11-game winning streak.

Dallas 108, Memphis 88 -- Josh Howard scored 27 points at Memphis, Tenn., to help the Mavericks win their ninth in a row.

Houston 106, Seattle 78 -- Mike James scored 24 points to help the host Rockets win their seventh in a row. Houston’s Tracy McGrady sat out the game because of back spasms.

New York 113, Washington 105 -- Jamal Crawford made seven three-point baskets and scored 36 points as the host Knicks rallied for the victory.