Pooh
01-29-2004, 03:21 AM
By Johnnie Clay - Pacers Insider.
January 28, 2004 - 10:00 PM
The Indiana Pacers were just dying to get back onto the court this evening. After suffering a humiliating 107-96 loss to the Washington Wizards, the Pacers were salivating an opportunity to take it out on an opponent. Enter the Phoenix Suns. It just doesn’t get any easier than this.
Al Harrington led a dominant performance from the second unit with 24 points and Reggie Miller scored 15 of his 18 points in a devastating third-quarter run as the Pacers routed Phoenix 101-79 on Wednesday night before 16,111 in Conseco Fieldhouse.
The Pacers came out firing on all cylinders, scoring 30 points in the first quarter alone, en route to their 34th victory of the season.
As the second quarter began, the Pacers slowly began to pull away from the Suns, leading 52-44 at halftime.
“We came out with a lot of confidence and somewhat felt like it was a desperation win.” Al Harrington said. “We needed it. We all know the last two games were not very good. Coach challenged us to play 48 minutes of good defense. I think we came close to it and good defense creates offense.”
Leading by eight points at halftime, the Pacers quickly blew it open in the third quarter behind Reggie Miller. He scored six in a row to key a 14-0 run opened a 66-46 lead, then made three consecutive 3-pointers to close an 11-0 run that pushed the lead to 77-50.
"In the third quarter he (Miller) went on one of his runs and that was a difference in the game, a big part of the win.” Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s a different kind of player. His shooting range is freakish. He struggled a little bit in the first half; but in the third quarter he was determined to make a difference."
In all, Miller scored 15 points during a 25-4 scoring spree that took less than seven minutes. Phoenix got no closer than 18 points the rest of the way.
Carlisle was pleased with his teams ability to bounce back after two disappointing defeats over the weekend.
"We played well. I thought our bench was a real key for us.” Carlisle said. “We’re very pleased to get a win. I thought our energy was good. I was a little concerned coming in after a couple days off. It’s tough when you have three days off after losing two in a row."
The Pacers defense shinned once again tonight, holding the Suns to 44% shooting for night and an eye-popping 23 turnovers.
Five Pacers scored in double figures, led by Harrington's 24 points on 9-16 shooting. He also had 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Reggie Miller's 18 points came in 19 minutes as he hit 5-6 from the 3-point line.
Ron Artest didn't shoot well (4-15) but produced 14 points, 7 assists and 3 steals. Jermaine O'Neal had 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Fred Jones had his second consecutive double-figures scoring game with 12 points, adding 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists in 30 active minutes.
For the night, the Pacers shot 46% (37-80) and 80% (20-25) from the free-throw line.
Artest’s performance didn’t escape the eye of his Coach either.
"Ron Artest played very well.” Carlisle said. "He’s hampered and he didn’t shoot well; but he rebounded and he makes offensive plays for other people.”
The stat of the night was the production from the bench, who outscored the Suns, 54-15.
Anthony Johnson started at point guard for the Pacers because Tinsley was late to the morning shoot around. Coach Rick Carlisle said Tinsley was up late the night before attending to a family matter and overslept. He should return to the lineup for Saturday night's game against Boston.
Speaking of Boston, after two more days off, the Pacers return to action against Boston on Saturday night in Conseco Fieldhouse. The Celtics will be guided by interim coach John Carroll, who took over when head coach Jim O'Brien resigned on Wednesday morning. The teams have split two games this season, with the Celtics winning 78-76 in Conseco Fieldhouse on Nov. 11, and the Pacers winning in Boston 103-90 on Jan. 2.
Game Time Saturday is at 8pm (EST).
January 28, 2004 - 10:00 PM
The Indiana Pacers were just dying to get back onto the court this evening. After suffering a humiliating 107-96 loss to the Washington Wizards, the Pacers were salivating an opportunity to take it out on an opponent. Enter the Phoenix Suns. It just doesn’t get any easier than this.
Al Harrington led a dominant performance from the second unit with 24 points and Reggie Miller scored 15 of his 18 points in a devastating third-quarter run as the Pacers routed Phoenix 101-79 on Wednesday night before 16,111 in Conseco Fieldhouse.
The Pacers came out firing on all cylinders, scoring 30 points in the first quarter alone, en route to their 34th victory of the season.
As the second quarter began, the Pacers slowly began to pull away from the Suns, leading 52-44 at halftime.
“We came out with a lot of confidence and somewhat felt like it was a desperation win.” Al Harrington said. “We needed it. We all know the last two games were not very good. Coach challenged us to play 48 minutes of good defense. I think we came close to it and good defense creates offense.”
Leading by eight points at halftime, the Pacers quickly blew it open in the third quarter behind Reggie Miller. He scored six in a row to key a 14-0 run opened a 66-46 lead, then made three consecutive 3-pointers to close an 11-0 run that pushed the lead to 77-50.
"In the third quarter he (Miller) went on one of his runs and that was a difference in the game, a big part of the win.” Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s a different kind of player. His shooting range is freakish. He struggled a little bit in the first half; but in the third quarter he was determined to make a difference."
In all, Miller scored 15 points during a 25-4 scoring spree that took less than seven minutes. Phoenix got no closer than 18 points the rest of the way.
Carlisle was pleased with his teams ability to bounce back after two disappointing defeats over the weekend.
"We played well. I thought our bench was a real key for us.” Carlisle said. “We’re very pleased to get a win. I thought our energy was good. I was a little concerned coming in after a couple days off. It’s tough when you have three days off after losing two in a row."
The Pacers defense shinned once again tonight, holding the Suns to 44% shooting for night and an eye-popping 23 turnovers.
Five Pacers scored in double figures, led by Harrington's 24 points on 9-16 shooting. He also had 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Reggie Miller's 18 points came in 19 minutes as he hit 5-6 from the 3-point line.
Ron Artest didn't shoot well (4-15) but produced 14 points, 7 assists and 3 steals. Jermaine O'Neal had 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Fred Jones had his second consecutive double-figures scoring game with 12 points, adding 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists in 30 active minutes.
For the night, the Pacers shot 46% (37-80) and 80% (20-25) from the free-throw line.
Artest’s performance didn’t escape the eye of his Coach either.
"Ron Artest played very well.” Carlisle said. "He’s hampered and he didn’t shoot well; but he rebounded and he makes offensive plays for other people.”
The stat of the night was the production from the bench, who outscored the Suns, 54-15.
Anthony Johnson started at point guard for the Pacers because Tinsley was late to the morning shoot around. Coach Rick Carlisle said Tinsley was up late the night before attending to a family matter and overslept. He should return to the lineup for Saturday night's game against Boston.
Speaking of Boston, after two more days off, the Pacers return to action against Boston on Saturday night in Conseco Fieldhouse. The Celtics will be guided by interim coach John Carroll, who took over when head coach Jim O'Brien resigned on Wednesday morning. The teams have split two games this season, with the Celtics winning 78-76 in Conseco Fieldhouse on Nov. 11, and the Pacers winning in Boston 103-90 on Jan. 2.
Game Time Saturday is at 8pm (EST).