Pooh
11-28-2003, 02:48 AM
By Johnnie Clay – Pacers Insider
November 27, 2003 - 11:00 PM
The Indiana Pacers spent their Thanksgiving holiday feasting like they haven't eaten in days. Their victim was the New York Knicks, winners of two in a row, including a victory the night before against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who ironically were defeated by the Pacers this past Tuesday night.
Tonight's game was quick and painless. Once again using a smothering defense and all around team play, the Pacers easily defeated the Knicks 93-70 in front of a sold out crowd of 16,213 at Conseco Fieldhouse tonight.
The Pacers led wire-to-wire. At times, their lead was nearly 25 points, as the Knicks had no answer for the dynamic duo of Ron Artest and Jermaine O'Neal.
Dressed in their circa 1972-73 ABA Championship retro jerseys, Artest and O'Neal combined for 48 points (21 and 27 points respectively) as the Pacers never trailed in the contest.
Artest commented on the duo's latest performance.
"We may be the one-two punch; but it’s not just that." Artest said. "As I said before, we feed off of each other. On myself, I am trying to stay happy and have fun."
The duo, along with the rest of the Pacers feasted like the Grinch at Christmas, shooting 44% (36-82) and holding the Knicks to 35% (23-65) for the night.
The Pacers jumped out to an early lead, only to have the Knicks (led by Kurt Thomas' 12 points) crawl back and cut the lead down to seven at the end of the first quarter 26-19.
The lead began to grow to double-digits midway through the first half as the Pacers led at halftime, 52-40.
By the end of the third quarter, the domination was complete. The lead at times varied from 20-25 points, as the Pacers defense (the best in the NBA) clamped down and smothed the Knicks.
The fourth quarter saw more dominating by the Pacers, holding the Knicks to only 11 points. There would be no 24 point outburst, as was the case back on the 19th of November in New York. The only suspense was whether or not the Knicks would reach 70 points for the night, and they did...just barely.
The win was the Pacers seventh in a row, pushing their league leading record to 13-2, one victory shy of the mark set by last years Pacers team at 14-2. Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle praised his teams performance along with the job that his predcessor, Isiah Thomas helped create here.
"We played a strong game for all four quarters and that’s what you have to do to be a strong team in this league." Carlisle said. "Our team has played very unselfishly and Isiah Thomas has had something to do with that with what he did for the last three years. I think Isiah’s influence is helping us have the success that we are having right now. 26 assists on 36 baskets shows we’re playing the right way."
Reggie Miller, who scored 9 points this evening, echoed his coaches sentiments and remembering the teams quick start last season too.
“We got off to this fast start last year and kind of bottomed out." Miller said. "We think we learned from that and are going to do something different this year. Coach Carlisle has given Coach Thomas some credit for building this team and getting the players in place. Now it is up to us as individuals, as team members and overall to continue on this course over the long season. It’s early.”
Early is right. The Pacers turn around for another back-to-back game tomorrow when the Philadelphia 76'ers come to town. The Sixers, (8-8) are coming off an emotional victory Wednesday over the Detroit Pistons and will be looking to settle the score on the Pacers, who defeated them 85-74 on Novemeber 9th in Philadelphia.
Gametime Friday is at 8pm (EST)
November 27, 2003 - 11:00 PM
The Indiana Pacers spent their Thanksgiving holiday feasting like they haven't eaten in days. Their victim was the New York Knicks, winners of two in a row, including a victory the night before against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who ironically were defeated by the Pacers this past Tuesday night.
Tonight's game was quick and painless. Once again using a smothering defense and all around team play, the Pacers easily defeated the Knicks 93-70 in front of a sold out crowd of 16,213 at Conseco Fieldhouse tonight.
The Pacers led wire-to-wire. At times, their lead was nearly 25 points, as the Knicks had no answer for the dynamic duo of Ron Artest and Jermaine O'Neal.
Dressed in their circa 1972-73 ABA Championship retro jerseys, Artest and O'Neal combined for 48 points (21 and 27 points respectively) as the Pacers never trailed in the contest.
Artest commented on the duo's latest performance.
"We may be the one-two punch; but it’s not just that." Artest said. "As I said before, we feed off of each other. On myself, I am trying to stay happy and have fun."
The duo, along with the rest of the Pacers feasted like the Grinch at Christmas, shooting 44% (36-82) and holding the Knicks to 35% (23-65) for the night.
The Pacers jumped out to an early lead, only to have the Knicks (led by Kurt Thomas' 12 points) crawl back and cut the lead down to seven at the end of the first quarter 26-19.
The lead began to grow to double-digits midway through the first half as the Pacers led at halftime, 52-40.
By the end of the third quarter, the domination was complete. The lead at times varied from 20-25 points, as the Pacers defense (the best in the NBA) clamped down and smothed the Knicks.
The fourth quarter saw more dominating by the Pacers, holding the Knicks to only 11 points. There would be no 24 point outburst, as was the case back on the 19th of November in New York. The only suspense was whether or not the Knicks would reach 70 points for the night, and they did...just barely.
The win was the Pacers seventh in a row, pushing their league leading record to 13-2, one victory shy of the mark set by last years Pacers team at 14-2. Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle praised his teams performance along with the job that his predcessor, Isiah Thomas helped create here.
"We played a strong game for all four quarters and that’s what you have to do to be a strong team in this league." Carlisle said. "Our team has played very unselfishly and Isiah Thomas has had something to do with that with what he did for the last three years. I think Isiah’s influence is helping us have the success that we are having right now. 26 assists on 36 baskets shows we’re playing the right way."
Reggie Miller, who scored 9 points this evening, echoed his coaches sentiments and remembering the teams quick start last season too.
“We got off to this fast start last year and kind of bottomed out." Miller said. "We think we learned from that and are going to do something different this year. Coach Carlisle has given Coach Thomas some credit for building this team and getting the players in place. Now it is up to us as individuals, as team members and overall to continue on this course over the long season. It’s early.”
Early is right. The Pacers turn around for another back-to-back game tomorrow when the Philadelphia 76'ers come to town. The Sixers, (8-8) are coming off an emotional victory Wednesday over the Detroit Pistons and will be looking to settle the score on the Pacers, who defeated them 85-74 on Novemeber 9th in Philadelphia.
Gametime Friday is at 8pm (EST)