NBA players have long complained that referees have a double standard when it comes to making calls against Michael Jordan.
The Indiana Pacers added their voices to the conspiracy theory Wednesday night after Jordan was not ejected - but Reggie Miller was - following a pushing-and-shoving match between the two in Chicago's 115-104 victory."That just shows you how high we are - at the bottom of the totem pole. And they (the Bulls) are at the top. They're still running the league," Miller said.
The Jordan-Miller fight started after Miller bumped Jordan with a forearm after making a tip-in to give Indiana a 22-14 first-quarter lead. Miller ran upcourt, but Jordan caught up to him and the two players began to grapple. Jordan head-butted Miller, both players threw punches and both benches emptied.
Referees Jess Kersey, Ronny Nunn and Ted Barnhardt huddled for several minutes before announcing their decision. Miller got an elbowing foul and a technical foul for throwing a punch. He was ejected. Jordan got nothing.
When Pacers coach Bob Hill heard the announcement, he flung his clipboard down and shattered it, earning himself an ejection.
"The ejection came because (Miller) threw a punch," Kersey told a pool reporter, adding that the referee said he did not see Jordan throw a punch.
"He threw a punch, the first punch," Miller said.
Nets 109, Pistons 86
At East Rutherford, N.J., three members of the New Jersey Nets got some retribution after being passed over for All-Star berths. Kenny Anderson had 28 points, Derrick Coleman had 21 points and 17 rebounds and Drazen Petrovic held Joe Dumars scoreless.
Suns 122, Clippers 100
At Phoenix, the Suns opened a 26-point lead in the second quarter and led by as much as 31 late in the game. Charles Barkley had 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.
Magic 96, Cavaliers 87
At Orlando, Fla., Cleveland's five-game winning streak came to an end and the Cavaliers found themselves 31/2 games behind the division-leading Bulls.
Lakers 111, Nuggets 102
At Inglewood, Calif., James Worthy scored 21 points and Sam Perkins had 20 points and 10 rebounds as Los Angeles ended Denver's three-game winning streak.
Rockets 98, 76ers 90
At Philadelphia, Hakeem Olajuwon had 25 points, 20 rebounds, six blocked shots and seven assists as Houston held off Philadelphia.
Bullets 110, Mavericks 102
At Dallas, LaBradford Smith came off the bench to score eight points in a 16-7 run at the start of the fourth quarter that gave the Washington Bullets the victory over the 4-41 Dallas Mavericks.
Heat 101, Timberwolves 90
At Minneapolis, Grant Long had 21 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists to help Miami overcome an awesome shooting performance by Chuck Person, who made all six of his three-point attempts.