Chris Copeland hit the go-ahead layup with 1.2 seconds remaining, lifting the visiting Indiana Pacers to a thrilling 104-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
In an effort to shake his weary club out of a late-season slump, Pacers coach Frank Vogel rested all five of his starters. The move paid off as the Pacers snapped a six-game road slide with just their fourth win in the last 12 outings overall.
The victory coupled with the Miami Heat’s 107-102 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies lifted the Pacers a half game ahead of the two-time defending champions for the top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
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Argentine Luis Scola and Evan Turner paced Indiana with season-highs of 24 points and 23 points, respectively. The Pacers led 102-99 but Khris Middleton made all three free throws with 4.9 seconds remaining that knotted the contest after drawing a foul on Ian Mahinmi while attempting a 3-pointer.
Copeland got the ball out of timeout at the top of the arc, drove the right side of the lane and dropped in the floater for the difference-maker. He was mobbed at mid-court by his delirious teammates after the Bucks missed a desperation shot at the final buzzer.
Brandon Knight led the league-worst Bucks with 25 points and Ramon Sessions finished with 20.
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Memphis Grizzlies 107 – 102 Miami Heat
Phoenix Suns 94 - 88 New Orleans Pelicans
Oklahoma City Thunder 107 - 101 LA Clippers
Toronto Raptors 125 - 114 Philadelphia 76ers
Orlando Magic 115 - 111 Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Bobcats 94 – 88 (OT) Washington Wizards
Atlanta Hawks 105 - 97 Boston Celtics
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Denver Nuggets 123 - 116 Houston Rockets
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Cleveland Cavaliers 122 - 100 Detroit Pistons