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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Reggie Miller got the Indiana Pacers back on
track.
|  | | Indiana guard Reggie Miller, left, fights through the block of Bucks center Scott Williams on his way to a 24-point night.
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Miller scored 24 points as the Pacers found their shooting touch
in a 99-86 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
The Pacers, who hit just 34 percent in the defeat Monday at
Charlotte, sank 40 of 71 field goals (56.3 percent) to build leads
as large as 25 points in the third quarter.
"You always want to try to keep the momentum going," Miller
said. "We somewhat fell off the carriage in Charlotte. It was good
to get back up on the horse."
Despite hitting eight of 16 3-pointers, the Pacers had to overcome a
shooting barrage by Bucks backup guard Lindsey Hunter, who hit five
3-pointers in the fourth quarter. He hit four in consecutive
possessions that cut the deficit to 91-81 with 6:23 to play. Hunter
led the Bucks with 21 points.
Indiana has won five of its last six games to climb back into
playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.
Miller hit 10 of 18 field goals and four of nine 3-pointers.
Five Pacers scored in double figures.
Jalen Rose added 16 points and a career high-tying 12 assists
for the Pacers. Jermaine O'Neal and Austin Croshere scored 17
points each, and Zan Tabak had 13.
"We can score the ball if guys turn down the good shot to get
the great shot," Rose said. "They need to understand who you want
to shoot the ball in certain scenarios. That's something we've
struggled with."
Ray Allen and Sam Cassell scored 16 each for Milwaukee, but it
wasn't enough to offset the loss of forward Glenn Robinson,
sidelined by a sprained right ankle.
"We missed Glenn, and Ray and Timmy (Thomas) didn't upgrade
their game, and we couldn't win," Bucks coach George Karl said.
"Reggie Miller is a great player. I'd like to have his playoff
experience on our team."
Miller scored eight points and Rose five to fuel an 18-9 surge
over the first 5:25 of the second half that improved the Pacers'
lead to 77-53. They led 87-64 going into the fourth quarter.
"I've got to give Jalen a lot of credit," Miller said. "He
played a lot of heavy minutes tonight. We weren't as quick on the
fastbreak, but he made us a little more patient on the offensive
end."
Croshere hit two 3-point baskets and scored 12 points to lead
10-3 and 12-6 runs over the final 8:23 of the first half that
boosted the Pacers' lead to 59-44 at halftime.
Game notes
Through three quarters Wednesday, Rose had 11 assists,
equal to the entire Milwaukee team. ... Pacers guard Travis Best
missed the game with a strained lower back. ... In the last five
games, Miller has hit 21 of 43 3-point field-goal attempts. ... In
the four games with the Bucks, Rose and Miller combined to average
40 points.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Milwaukee Clubhouse
Indiana Clubhouse
RECAPS
Indiana 99
Milwaukee 86
Toronto 95
Atlanta 88
Charlotte 91
New Jersey 88
Minnesota 111
Detroit 100
Philadelphia 79
Miami 69
Houston 95
Chicago 78
Orlando 97
Phoenix 91
Utah 101
Vancouver 83
Denver 107
LA Lakers 101
Sacramento 122
Golden State 101
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