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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Tamika Catchings scored 20 points as the Indiana Fever moved within one victory of their first-ever playoff berth with a 77-63 win Sunday night over the Miami Sol before a team record-crowd of 15,488. The Fever (15-16) would clinch the first playoff berth in their three-year history by winning at Cleveland on Tuesday. To make the playoffs, Orlando (15-16) needs to win its final regular-season game Tuesday at home against New York - which has already clinched the East - and Indiana has to lose its final game. Miami (14-17) finishes its season Tuesday at home against Detroit and has the tiebreaker advantage over Orlando and Indiana. The Fever trailed 27-23 with 5 minutes left in the first half before going on a decisive 13-0 run. The Sol went 0-for-5 from the field and had four turnovers during their scoreless stretch. Sheri Sam led the Sol with 20 points. The Fever was 19-45 over their first two seasons but have been revitalized by the rookie Catchings. She entered the game as the league's leading scorer, was first in steals and fourth in rebounds and was serenaded with chants of M-V-P! throughout the game. Nikki McCray added 16 points for Indiana. Notes: Indiana would play host to Game 1 of a playoff series Thursday or Friday. ... The Fever are 5-10 on the road. ... Catchings is averaging 23.5 points and 8 rebounds against Cleveland. ... Indiana Pacers coach Isiah Thomas was at the game.
The Associated Press News Service Copyright 2002 The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. |
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