The Indiana Pacers took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 108-91 Saturday in Indianapolis.
A double dose of 40 points from Pacer's Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose accumulated with 76ers' Allen Iverson's bumping and ejection of a referee, gave the Pacers the game.
Iverson picked up two technical fouls with 2:53 left and appeared to bump referee Ken Mauer, which could lead to a suspension for Monday's Game 2.
Iverson got into Mauer's face after teammate Aaron McKie was called for a foul late in the fourth quarter. Iverson incessantly protested and was benched for arguing a call.
Iverson scored 28 points to pace the 76ers before being tossed from the contest. Tyrone Hill was the only other Sixer to make a solid contribution with 20 points.
Philadelphia is hoping to reach the conference finals for the first time since 1985 – (Agencies)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
