Pacers prevail in overtime

The Indiana Pacers overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourthquarter and boosted their hopes for the Central Division title with a115-110 overtime victory Thursday against the visiting CharlotteHornets.

Reggie Miller led the Pacers, who moved a half-game ahead of theAtlanta Hawks in the division race, with 27 points and matched hiscareer high with 12 rebounds. David Wesley scored 23 points to leadthe Hornets, who fell 1 1/2 games behind the New York Knicks in therace for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Celtics 107, Heat 96: Paul Pierce scored 31 points and Dana Barros27 to help Boston complete a three-game season sweep of host Miami.The Heat played its second consecutive game without injured centerAlonzo Mourning, who suffered a fractured eye socket Monday againstthe Cleveland Cavaliers.Knicks 85, 76ers 70: Latrell Sprewell scored 30 points and AllanHouston 22 as New York put an end to visiting Philadelphia's five-game winning streak. Knicks center Patrick Ewing returned from athree-game absence with a sore Achilles tendon and scored six pointsin 21 minutes.Mavericks 91, Rockets 81: Michael Finley and Dirk Nowitzki eachscored 22 points to help Dallas hand host Houston its fourth loss inits last five games. Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon suffered abruised left thigh in the second quarter and was listed as day-to-day.Lakers 108, Trail Blazers 89: Shaquille O'Neal matched his seasonhigh with 38 points, and Robert Horry made six three-pointers andadded a season-high 22 as Los Angeles drubbed visiting Portland. Thevictory enabled the slumping Lakers to end a three-game losingstreak.Jazz 96, Warriors 85: Karl Malone scored 25 points to power hostUtah to its 12th consecutive victory against Golden State.Spurs 99, Grizzlies 72: Tim Duncan scored 19 points and grabbed 10rebounds to help visiting San Antonio trounce Vancouver.Suns 98, Nuggets 87: Cliff Robinson scored 25 points, includingsix three-pointers, to carry Phoenix past host Denver.Kings 103, Clippers 81: Tariq Abdul-Wahad scored a season-high 19points to spark Sacramento past visiting Los Angeles.Wizards 97, Cavaliers 86: Ben Wallace was 9-for-9 and scored 20points as host Washington beat Cleveland to end a seven-game skid.