INDIANAPOLIS -- It is what he does best, everyone agreed. Reggie Miller is the Indiana Pacers best (and only) bright-lights player, an L.A. guy and an oddity in a place some of us know as Naptown.
Miller is usually at his money best in New York, against the Knicks and their fabulous first man off the first row, Spike Lee. To the Chicago Bulls, he was another notch in the belt. Miller followed a 5-for-13 shooting night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals with a 4-for-13 second game.
So in Game 3 Saturday, when Miller sprained his ankle with six minutes left in the third quarter and the Bulls up by eight, he looked like just another fallen foe on Michael Jordan's farewell tour, or whatever it is.
But nothing was quite what we expected Saturday. Things did not work for the Bulls the way they had the first two games. Nobody thought Scottie Pippen would be whistled by the referees and forechecked into defensive passivity by the likes of Chris Mullin.
Expect the unexpected
Pippen covered Pacers point guard Mark Jackson like prints on fingers in Games 1 and 2. On Saturday, he was no factor on defense: In 23 minutes, Jackson had 13 points, six assists and two turnovers. His backup, Travis Best, had 11 points and four assists.
"They (officials) didn't allow me to be aggressive," Pippen said, accurately, if somewhat lamely. A 6-foot-7 guy should be able to guard a 6-foot-3 guy without body-bumping him all over the floor.
Nobody figured Michael Jordan would be booed here, not even in the postseason. And no-o-o-body guessed Miller would outplay Jordan with the game in the balance. But he did.
On one leg.
This probably won't happen again Monday. If Miller is able to move -- "I got to be able to take the ball off the dribble, but right now I can't," he said -- chances are favorable that Jordan will make Miller, or somebody, pay for what happened here.
But that's then. Now, the Pacers are threatening to make this a series, thanks to a 107-105 win highlighted by Miller's grit. By the time Miller got serious with the three-point jumpers, Jordan was guarding him. Actually, Jordan was trying to guard a few people, including Best. As Jordan himself allowed, "I can't guard everybody."
A little motivation
The Pacers led 89-87 when Miller tossed in a three with about four minutes left. Then he hit another, from the top of the key. Miller backpedaled with his arms upraised. He hopped, though it was less in showy delight than in pain. After the second three, Indiana led by eight with 3:15 to play, and Market Square Arena sounded like the inside of a tornado.
For the encore, Miller juked Dennis Rodman at the top of the key, and drained an 18-footer as the shot clock expired. "We forgot him a couple times, and he made some big shots," Jordan said. "He's known for that."
So is Jordan. Jordan scored 30 and nearly brought the Bulls back. But he was not the clutch force Miller was.
Miller also said he preferred having Jordan guard him. In the first two games, Ron Harper was on him.
"Ron's primary assignment is to stop me. He's not looking for offense. It's a different story if Michael has to guard me and get off at the other end," Miller allowed. This will be interesting news to Jordan, who seeks motivation wherever he can find it.
Indiana coach Larry Bird nearly took Miller out after the injury. He didn't think Miller was quick enough to get open, or play defense. Miller changed Bird's mind. Then he limped to the postgame interview. "I felt a twinge," he explained, "then I heard a pop." Pop goes the season?
Indiana can't be too thrilled when it had everything go its way and only won by two. Miller's ankle may allow him to score Monday, but Jordan probably won't. Until further notice, it's still Michael's ball.
Miller was a swell diversion, though.
Enquirer columnist Paul Daugherty welcomes your comments at 768-8454.
NBA playoffs coverage from Associated Press
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