INDIANAPOLIS, April 5 (UPI) -- Jermaine O'Neal had 32 points and 10 rebounds and Brad Miller added 15 and nine Friday night as the Indiana Pacers collected a crucial victory with a 97-87 triumph over the Phoenix Suns.
Indiana had lost six of its previous seven games and was tied for the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference with the surging Toronto Raptors, who have won six straight games.
With Sunday's visit to Toronto looming, O'Neal and Miller made sure the Pacers would enter the contest with at least a tie for eighth place.
Indiana had a 46-40 lead with just under four minutes left in the second quarter before O'Neal and Miller each scored four points during a 10-0 run. Reggie Miller capped the burst with a layup for a 56-40 edge and Phoenix never got closer than nine thereafter.
Jake Tsakalidis had 20 points and 12 rebounds and rookie Joe Johnson scored 17 points for Phoenix, which has lost three straight games and fell to 1-3 on a five-game road trip.
