Pooh
02-07-2004, 04:52 AM
By Johnnie Clay - Pacers Insider.
February 6, 2004 - 11:30 PM
The Indiana Pacers made their first venture to the Great White North this evening. Led by the new "dynamic duo" of Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest, the Pacers once again showed the rest of the NBA where the best team resides, defeating the Toronto Raptors this evening 83-77.
Tonight's win snapped the Pacers two-game road losing streak and improved to 37-14 overall, 17-9 on the road. A loss later that evening by the Sacramento Kings, gave the Pacers once again the best overall record in the NBA, an honor which the Pacers hope to keep for the remainder of the year.
Like all of the Pacers' victories this season, this game had it's moments.
The Pacers jumped out to an 23-18 lead in the first quarter. The Raptors stood their ground and battled the Pacers during the second quarter, closing to withing five points, 42-37 at halftime.
A 17-4 third quarter run put the Pacers ahead 65-50 late in the period, and they appeared to be in firm control. The lead was at 12 points, 76-64 with 6:15 left in the game when the offense suddenly went cold.
The Pacers missed five shots in a row, enabling Toronto to score 10 unanswered points to cut the lead to 76-74 with 2:43 remaining. Jamaal Tinsley then hit a huge 3-pointer and both teams subsequently came up empty on their next three possessions until Tinsley made a pair of free throws with 22 seconds left to make it 81-74.
Even then, it wasn't quite over. Donyell Marshall tossed in a difficult 3-pointer with 14 seconds left, cutting the margin to four. Then the unlikeliest of fates befell the Pacers as Reggie Miller missed a pair of free throws. But Jermaine O'Neal snagged the rebound and Miller was fouled again, this time making both to seal the deal, giving the Pacers their 37th win of the year.
"The Raptors play physical, they play together, and they share the ball so they’re always a dangerous team." Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle said afterwards.
"I thought they made a great effort tonight without one of their best players, Chris Bosh. We’re lucky to get out of here alive. We were able to weather the storm down the stretch."
The Pacers shot 43% (32-75) and 75% (15-20) from the free-throw line.
Ron Artest led the Pacers with 27 points and 4 rebounds, while his team mate, Jermaine O'Neal was once a beast on the boards, pulling down 14 of them while scoring 20 points. The Pacers are unbeatable when O'Neal and Artest each score 20 points or better.
Jamaal Tinsley dished out 5 assists to go along with 11 points. And always reliable Al Harrington pitched in with 19 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.
The Pacers now have another day off before returning to the court on Sunday, where they will be facing the Miami Heat in a rare afternoon tipoff at Conseco Fieldhouse. The two teams last met on January 5th in Miami, where the Pacers hammered the Heat, 87-65.
Game Time Sunday is at 2:30pm (EST).
February 6, 2004 - 11:30 PM
The Indiana Pacers made their first venture to the Great White North this evening. Led by the new "dynamic duo" of Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest, the Pacers once again showed the rest of the NBA where the best team resides, defeating the Toronto Raptors this evening 83-77.
Tonight's win snapped the Pacers two-game road losing streak and improved to 37-14 overall, 17-9 on the road. A loss later that evening by the Sacramento Kings, gave the Pacers once again the best overall record in the NBA, an honor which the Pacers hope to keep for the remainder of the year.
Like all of the Pacers' victories this season, this game had it's moments.
The Pacers jumped out to an 23-18 lead in the first quarter. The Raptors stood their ground and battled the Pacers during the second quarter, closing to withing five points, 42-37 at halftime.
A 17-4 third quarter run put the Pacers ahead 65-50 late in the period, and they appeared to be in firm control. The lead was at 12 points, 76-64 with 6:15 left in the game when the offense suddenly went cold.
The Pacers missed five shots in a row, enabling Toronto to score 10 unanswered points to cut the lead to 76-74 with 2:43 remaining. Jamaal Tinsley then hit a huge 3-pointer and both teams subsequently came up empty on their next three possessions until Tinsley made a pair of free throws with 22 seconds left to make it 81-74.
Even then, it wasn't quite over. Donyell Marshall tossed in a difficult 3-pointer with 14 seconds left, cutting the margin to four. Then the unlikeliest of fates befell the Pacers as Reggie Miller missed a pair of free throws. But Jermaine O'Neal snagged the rebound and Miller was fouled again, this time making both to seal the deal, giving the Pacers their 37th win of the year.
"The Raptors play physical, they play together, and they share the ball so they’re always a dangerous team." Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle said afterwards.
"I thought they made a great effort tonight without one of their best players, Chris Bosh. We’re lucky to get out of here alive. We were able to weather the storm down the stretch."
The Pacers shot 43% (32-75) and 75% (15-20) from the free-throw line.
Ron Artest led the Pacers with 27 points and 4 rebounds, while his team mate, Jermaine O'Neal was once a beast on the boards, pulling down 14 of them while scoring 20 points. The Pacers are unbeatable when O'Neal and Artest each score 20 points or better.
Jamaal Tinsley dished out 5 assists to go along with 11 points. And always reliable Al Harrington pitched in with 19 points and 5 rebounds off the bench.
The Pacers now have another day off before returning to the court on Sunday, where they will be facing the Miami Heat in a rare afternoon tipoff at Conseco Fieldhouse. The two teams last met on January 5th in Miami, where the Pacers hammered the Heat, 87-65.
Game Time Sunday is at 2:30pm (EST).