Pacers’ Star Miller Quiet Over Snub

Reggie Miller won’t talk about his snub by NBA coaches, but Donnie Walsh will.

The Indiana Pacers president said Miller, a member of the U.S. Olympic Dream Team, should have been added to the All-Star reserves despite the Pacers’ poor performance this season.

“I think it’s been harder on him, because the team’s struggling,” Walsh said.

Miller, selected to the All-Stars the past two years and a starter in 1995, wasn’t among the reserve picks for the Feb. 9 game in Cleveland.

Miller is averaging 21.3 points a game this season. In the Pacers’ 106-95 win over Charlotte Wednesday night, he scored a season-high 40 points.

“I don’t play for the All-Star team,” Miller said. “I play for wins. That’s all I’ve got to say.”

Miller was invited to participate in the 3-point shooting contest during the All-Star weekend but declined.

Jesse Jackson in Rodman’s corner

First President Clinton suggested that Rodman shape up and admit he was wrong to kick a photographer. Now Jesse Jackson says he is advising the Chicago Bulls star, and the civil rights leader wants to plead Rodman’s case before the NBA.

Jackson said he planned to meet with NBA commissioner David Stern on Wednesday in New York concerning Rodman’s 11-game suspension for the Jan. 15 incident. NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said no meeting was scheduled.

“Like everybody else, I don’t condone Dennis’ action,” Jackson told the Chicago Sun-Times in Wednesday’s editions. “I want to convey to the commissioner my sentiment and the sentiments of a growing number of people that Dennis has already been punished enough for the very act in question.”

According to league sources, Rodman still has not begun league-mandated counseling sessions that will determine whether he will be reinstated when the Bulls resume play after the All-Star break, Feb. 11 against Charlotte.

Cavs hit all-time low

John Starks scored 24 points and the New York Knicks, playing without All-Star center Patrick Ewing, held the Cleveland Cavaliers to the lowest point total in franchise history in a 75-65 victory at Cleveland.

Cleveland’s previous record for fewest points was 67, last reached in 1995 against Boston.

Ewing had a strained groin and missed his first game this season.

At Auburn Hills, Mich., Grant Hill had 27 points and eight rebounds and the Detroit Pistons came back from an 18-point deficit to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 98-89.

At Philadelphia, Jerry Stackhouse made a 12-footer at the buzzer and the Philadelphia 76ers ended a 12-game home losing streak - the worst in franchise history - with a 101-99 victory over Toronto.

At Orlando, Penny Hardaway scored a season-high 32 points and Orlando got a clutch 3-pointer and two free throws from Brian Shaw in the final minute to beat the Phoenix Suns 112-105.

Notes

The Sacramento City Council voted Tuesday night to continue negotiations toward giving the Kings a $70 million loan designed to keep the team in town. The final vote is scheduled next week. … Phoenix guard Rex Chapman will miss at least four games after breaking his right index finger during practice Tuesday. … Vancouver signed forward Aaron Williams to a 10-day contract, adding some offense to one of the NBA’s lowest-scoring teams. … Jack Haley, who spent most of last season on the Chicago Bulls’ injured reserve list, is expected to sign a 10-day contract with the New Jersey Nets. Haley has been playing for La Crosse of the CBA. … Indiana’s Vincent Askew is expected to resume workouts next week after undergoing surgery to clean damaged cartilage out of both knees.