Karl Tossed--Pacers Hold On
George Karl wasn't around to watch his Milwaukee Bucks make a futile comeback bid from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Karl was ejected in the third quarter after picking up two technicals, the second coming when he charged referee Derek Richardson.
Karl's outburst came as the Indiana Pacers were putting together a 15-5 run that helped produce a 109-104 victory in Friday night's meeting of the Central Division leaders.
Glenn Robinson led Milwaukee with 30 points and Reggie Miller had 22 for Indiana. Both teams had six players in double figures, and Indiana shot a season-high 60 percent to snap Milwaukee's six-game winning streak.
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Karl's first technical came when he complained over an offensive foul whistled against Ervin Johnson. After the technical was called, he rushed toward Richardson and had to be restrained by Vinny Del Negro and assistant coach Terry Stotts.
"The first technical was over an illegal screen, which they were allowing all night," Karl said. "The second I deserved."
Milwaukee was leading 69-68 when Chris Mullin began Indiana's run by hitting two free throws with 3:55 left in the quarter. Antonio Davis then hit one free throw and a short jumper after Dale Davis pulled down his teammate's miss on the second free throw.
A basket by Sam Perkins capped a 7-0 run by Indiana, making it 75-69. A 3-pointer by Robinson reduced Milwaukee's deficit to 77-74, but Antonio Davis then hit two free throws and Miller gave Indiana its biggest lead of the night to that point by hitting two free throws following the technicals and a layup.
The Pacers went on to take their biggest lead, 95-81, with 7:20 to play, but Robinson's hot shooting helped bring the Bucks back to 98-95 with 2:20 remaining.
Mullin then hit a big 3-pointer with 45 seconds remaining for Indiana to make the score 101-95 ad Milwaukee never drew closer than the final five-point margin.
"We gave up too many layups and easy shots," Robinson said. "They took control and gained momentum and in our comeback ... we couldn't get over the hump."
Ray Allen scored 18 for Milwaukee, while Dale Davis had a season-high 18 for Indiana and 11 rebounds. Antonio Davis chipped in with 15 points.
There were 20 lead changes and nine ties before Indiana took the lead for good on Mullin's free throws.
"He was awesome tonight," said Indiana coach Larry Bird, whose club opened a 1@1/2-game lead over Milwaukee with the victory. "Every win is a big win for us in this shortened season."
"I am being more aggressive on the offensive end," said Dale Davis, who matched his season-high of five offensive rebounds and was 8-of-10 from the field. "They did a great job of getting the ball to me where I can do something with it."
Notes: The Bucks were only able to dress only nine players. Chris Gatling and Sam Cassell, obtained in a trade with New Jersey on Thursday, did not join the team. Adonis Jordan, who signed a 10-day contract earlier in the day, also did not dress. ... Armen Gilliam made his first start of the season for Milwaukee, which traded starters Terrell Brandon and Tyrone Hill on Thursday. ... Indiana is 5-1 when it scores 100 points this season and its total was a season-high.
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