Pacers reach East finals

Ron Artest notched 27 points, including several baskets down the stretch, to power the Indiana Pacers to a 73-70 victory over the host Miami Heat Tuesday and a 4-2 triumph in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-finals. The top-seeded Pacers now meet

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It will be Indiana's first appearance in the finals since 2000. The Pacers led the NBA with 61 wins in the regular season.

The loss not only ended Miami's season but also halted the Heat's 18-game winning streak at home.

"It was a well-played series, we have to take our hats off to them (the Heat)," Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal told reporters.

"Their guys worked hard, they have a lot of heart. I just wanted to get a chance to go to the Eastern Conference finals."

O'Neal overcame an eye injury to add 13 rebounds and seven points to the Indiana attack.

Reggie Miller had 15 points for the Pacers while Jamaal Tinsley added 10 points and six rebounds.

Rookie Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 24 points while Lamar Odom picked up 22 points and eight rebounds.

Eddie Jones chipped in with 16 points for the Heat, who did not win a game on the road in the playoffs.