Ying and yang

Cool vet Miller finishes what feisty Artest starts

Jermaine O'Neal was Brian Grant's backup in Portland, but he got the better of his ex-teammate Monday. AP

MIAMI (AP) -- Pat Riley's face was still red 10 minutes after his team's latest loss, and no wonder. He had just endured two confrontations with tempestuous Ron Artest and another fourth-quarter collapse by the Miami Heat.

Reggie Miller sank a 3-pointer with 1:10 left to put the Indiana Pacers ahead to stay, then added a layup with 41 seconds left in a 102-95 victory Monday night.

The Heat lost after leading at the start of the fourth quarter for the eighth time, which left Riley fuming. He was also angry about Artest, who made an obscene gesture from center court as the Pacers rallied in the final period.

Artest twice initiated testy exchanges with Riley in front of the Heat bench. The second time, Riley pushed Artest away.

"The league ought to deal with that," Riley said. "That's crazy. I scream like crazy at officials and my players. I never, ever have talked to an opposing player, and I don't want anybody talking to me or coming over to my bench.

"That's who he is. He's a hell of a player, but he has got to get that under control."

Pacers coach Isiah Thomas defended his forward, saying Artest inspired Indiana's comeback from a nine-point second-half deficit. Artest scored 18 points for the Pacers, who won their fourth game in a row.

"Ron gave us the courage in this game to just compete," Thomas said. "He was competing so hard, it almost made the rest of the team feel they weren't playing as hard as they could."

Artest's first exchange with Riley came in the opening quarter. Riley and Caron Butler received technical fouls for contending Artest had fouled Butler while jostling for position during a dead ball. As Riley continued to complain, Artest walked up to the coach and joined the argument.

"Don't talk to me," Riley angrily told Artest.

Peace prevailed until the fourth quarter. With 8:13 left, Artest was called for a flagrant foul when he ran over Butler as they chased a loose ball out of bounds. Butler sank both free throws to put Miami ahead 81-76.

Then, two minutes later, Artest hit a driving scoop shot, was fouled and walked toward the Miami bench with his right arm flexed. As he and assistant coach Keith Askins had words, Artest brushed against Riley. They began shouting at each other, and Riley shoved Artest away.

"Coach Riley was into it," Artest said. "Their bench was into it. We were into it. That's how it's supposed to be. I didn't think I was that close to him."

Artest was called for a technical. After Miami's Eddie Jones missed the free throw, Artest sank his free throw to cut Miami's lead to 83-82. He then backpedaled up the court, holding aloft the index finger of his right hand and the middle finger of his left hand.

"That was bad on my part," Artest said. "I shouldn't have done that. I should know better."

Miller's 3-pointer over former teammate Travis Best put Indiana ahead 96-95. Miller then beat Best on a backdoor cut, took a pass from Brad Miller and hit a layup to make it 98-95.

With the Heat down by three in the final minute, Malik Allen committed a turnover and Jones missed a 3-pointer. Al Harrington sank two free throws with 19 seconds left to clinch the win.

"We don't mentally hang in there at the end of a game," Riley said. "The team is playing hard, and they deserve to win. They can kick themselves for not finishing games."

Reggie Miller scored 21 points to lead the Pacers. Caron Butler had 22 points for Miami, and Best added 20.

Notes: Butler was held to a season-low two points against Indiana in the last meeting. ... The Pacers are 3-0 against Miami, ensuring that they'll win the season series for the first time in five years. ... The Pacers, who have the NBA's best home record at 21-1, improved to 12-11 on the road.

 

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