Pacers hang on to beat Magic, stretch series lead

The Indiana Pacers squandered a big fourth-quarter lead but held on for a 101-99 over-time win over the Orlando Magic Saturday in their NBA first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. The Pacers took a 3-1 lead in the best of-seven series and will try to book their second-round berth when they host game five on Tuesday in Indianapolis. David West scored a game-high 26 points with 12 rebounds, and George Hill's 12 points included the decisive free throws with 2.2 seconds to play in over-time. The Magic had battled back from a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit to force the extra period. Danny Granger chipped in 21 points and Roy Hibbert scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Pacers, who have now won three straight games since dropping the series opener. Orlando had rallied to win that contest, surging to the victory by scoring the last 11 points. The Magic put together a 10-0 scoring run in the fourth this time, but couldn't quite complete the comeback. "They did a great job of coming back," said Granger, who hurt his right knee in the third quarter but returned in the fourth. "They had a lot of momentum going. We're lucky to get out of here." Pacers coach Frank Vogel was also happy to be heading home with a chance to advance. "We feel like we can get a win on our home court," he said. "It's tough to get a road win anywhere against anyone in the playoffs. To come in here in a tough environment and get two, it just speaks volumes of our guys' resiliency." Jason Richardson led the Magic with 25 points and Glen Davis added 24 points with 11 rebounds. The Magic, who lost All-Star Dwight Howard to season-ending back surgery late in the lockout-shortened regular season, are facing a second straight first-round exit. Just eight teams in NBA history have rallied from 1-3 down to win a series. A busy Eastern Conference schedule on Sunday will see the Miami Heat try to complete a sweep of the banged-up New York Knicks, who hope to have Amare Stoudemire back as they try to fend off elimination at Madison Square Garden. Stoudemire missed game three after cutting his hand when he banged a glass fire extinguisher case in frustration after the Knicks' game-two defeat in Miami. Stoudemire trained on Saturday but said whether he plays on Sunday will be a game-time decision. The Chicago Bulls, trailing Philadelphia 1-2 in their series, also face fresh injury concerns after French center Joakim Noah sprained his left ankle in game three. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Saturday Noah was "doubtful" for Sunday's game.