Pooh
11-08-2003, 01:28 AM
Artest's Clutch Three Point Play Leads Pacers Past Cavs 91-90.
By Johnnie Clay – Pacers Insider
November 7, 2003 - 10:30 PM
After shutting down the league's 3rd overall pick in Carmelo Anthony last week, the Indiana Pacers knew they would have their hands full with the rookie sensation LeBron James, and they were right. Ron Artest's clutch three point play with 11.1 seconds left helped propel the Pacers over the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight 91-90 at Conseco Fieldhouse this evening.
LeBron James led the Cavs with 23 points and appeared to be heading towards their first victory of the season when DeSagana Diop banked in a short jumper with 26.7 seconds remaining to give Cleveland a 90-88 lead.
But that's when the Pacers Ron Artest stepped to the forefront. Artest (whose led the Pacers in scoring for most of the season so far) took the ball and drove strong down the lane, drawing the foul as his scoop shot dropped through the basket with 11.1 seconds left. Artest then converted the free throw for the one-point lead.
The Cavaliers had one last chance, but James missed a layup and subsequent misses by his teammates, sent the sell out crowd of 18.345 out on a happy note.
Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle talked about that last shot by Artest. "We were trying to get Reggie (Miller) and Jermaine (O’Neal) on one side of the court and see what they would do. They double teamed and Ronnie (Artest) made a great cut. It was Ronnie’s read. He made a great cut and Jermaine made a great pass.”
Artest finished the game with 21 points, but the last three were the difference. Jermaine O'Neal had another solid night with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks, while the point guard duo of Anthony Johnson and Kenny Anderson contributed with 8 pts each and combined for total of 5 rebounds and 6 assists
Reggie Miller appears to be slowly regaining his past form, scoring 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Al Harrington came off the bench once again with another solid outing, scoring 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists as well. And Jeff Foster continues to make Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle's decision to start him in favor of Scot Pollard look like a stroke of genius, scored 7 points, with 9 rebounds.
The win tonight was the Pacers' fourth in row, keeping them tied for the best record in the Eastern Conference with the New Orleans Hornets who are also (5-1) with their victory tonight over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Pacers now go on the road this Sunday evening for an encounter against one of the leagues best scorers in Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76'ers.
Gametime is at 5pm (EST)
By Johnnie Clay – Pacers Insider
November 7, 2003 - 10:30 PM
After shutting down the league's 3rd overall pick in Carmelo Anthony last week, the Indiana Pacers knew they would have their hands full with the rookie sensation LeBron James, and they were right. Ron Artest's clutch three point play with 11.1 seconds left helped propel the Pacers over the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight 91-90 at Conseco Fieldhouse this evening.
LeBron James led the Cavs with 23 points and appeared to be heading towards their first victory of the season when DeSagana Diop banked in a short jumper with 26.7 seconds remaining to give Cleveland a 90-88 lead.
But that's when the Pacers Ron Artest stepped to the forefront. Artest (whose led the Pacers in scoring for most of the season so far) took the ball and drove strong down the lane, drawing the foul as his scoop shot dropped through the basket with 11.1 seconds left. Artest then converted the free throw for the one-point lead.
The Cavaliers had one last chance, but James missed a layup and subsequent misses by his teammates, sent the sell out crowd of 18.345 out on a happy note.
Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle talked about that last shot by Artest. "We were trying to get Reggie (Miller) and Jermaine (O’Neal) on one side of the court and see what they would do. They double teamed and Ronnie (Artest) made a great cut. It was Ronnie’s read. He made a great cut and Jermaine made a great pass.”
Artest finished the game with 21 points, but the last three were the difference. Jermaine O'Neal had another solid night with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks, while the point guard duo of Anthony Johnson and Kenny Anderson contributed with 8 pts each and combined for total of 5 rebounds and 6 assists
Reggie Miller appears to be slowly regaining his past form, scoring 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Al Harrington came off the bench once again with another solid outing, scoring 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists as well. And Jeff Foster continues to make Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle's decision to start him in favor of Scot Pollard look like a stroke of genius, scored 7 points, with 9 rebounds.
The win tonight was the Pacers' fourth in row, keeping them tied for the best record in the Eastern Conference with the New Orleans Hornets who are also (5-1) with their victory tonight over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Pacers now go on the road this Sunday evening for an encounter against one of the leagues best scorers in Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76'ers.
Gametime is at 5pm (EST)