ducks
12-03-2004, 10:05 AM
The absence of three of their top players may finally be catching up with the Indiana Pacers.
The Central Division leaders will look to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season when they visit the red-hot Sacramento Kings.
Indiana won three of its first four games without suspended regulars Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal -- all three of whom were punished severely for their part in the ugly brawl that spilled over into the seats at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Nov. 19.
Lifted by the previously unheralded Fred Jones, Austin Croshere and Jamaal Tinsley, the Pacers capped a three-game winning streak with an 82-77 victory over expansion Charlotte on Nov. 26, boosting their Eastern Conference-leading record to 10-3.
However, the Pacers have since dropped two straight, including Wednesday's 88-76 setback to the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Eddie Gill scored 21 points for Indiana, which learned Tuesday that misdemeanor assault charges would be filed against Artest, O'Neal and Jackson for their participation in the wild melee.
Making matters worse, the Pacers were forced to play without Croshere (bruised right rib), Scot Pollard (back) and Tinsley (bruised left thigh) against the Clippers.
``We are making some things up as we go along here, since our personnel has changed pretty drastically,'' Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. ``We have a couple of guys who we literally picked up off the street. We have some challenges, but we'll get it together and keep fighting.''
The Pacers could finally get some good news as soon as this weekend as veteran guard Reggie Miller, out with an injured left hand, could be activated.
The Kings began the season an uncharacteristically poor 1-4, but have rebounded quickly, winning nine of 10, including Wednesday's 94-81 victory at New Orleans.
Brad Miller scored 24 points, Peja Stojakovic had 20 and Bobby Jackson added 19 as Sacramento showed off its offensive arsenal in completing a 2-0 road trip.
``We're a smart enough veteran team that we know when to take shots,'' said Jackson, who hit his first six from the field. ``We were wide open for those shots, so we just took them and we made them. I just take what they give to me. That's the nature of this team and most of the time we're going to execute on it.''
Sacramento, which has won four straight on the road, had won its first six home games before suffering a 98-93 setback to Minnesota on Tuesday.
The Central Division leaders will look to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season when they visit the red-hot Sacramento Kings.
Indiana won three of its first four games without suspended regulars Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal -- all three of whom were punished severely for their part in the ugly brawl that spilled over into the seats at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Nov. 19.
Lifted by the previously unheralded Fred Jones, Austin Croshere and Jamaal Tinsley, the Pacers capped a three-game winning streak with an 82-77 victory over expansion Charlotte on Nov. 26, boosting their Eastern Conference-leading record to 10-3.
However, the Pacers have since dropped two straight, including Wednesday's 88-76 setback to the Los Angeles Clippers.
ADVERTISEMENT
click here
Eddie Gill scored 21 points for Indiana, which learned Tuesday that misdemeanor assault charges would be filed against Artest, O'Neal and Jackson for their participation in the wild melee.
Making matters worse, the Pacers were forced to play without Croshere (bruised right rib), Scot Pollard (back) and Tinsley (bruised left thigh) against the Clippers.
``We are making some things up as we go along here, since our personnel has changed pretty drastically,'' Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. ``We have a couple of guys who we literally picked up off the street. We have some challenges, but we'll get it together and keep fighting.''
The Pacers could finally get some good news as soon as this weekend as veteran guard Reggie Miller, out with an injured left hand, could be activated.
The Kings began the season an uncharacteristically poor 1-4, but have rebounded quickly, winning nine of 10, including Wednesday's 94-81 victory at New Orleans.
Brad Miller scored 24 points, Peja Stojakovic had 20 and Bobby Jackson added 19 as Sacramento showed off its offensive arsenal in completing a 2-0 road trip.
``We're a smart enough veteran team that we know when to take shots,'' said Jackson, who hit his first six from the field. ``We were wide open for those shots, so we just took them and we made them. I just take what they give to me. That's the nature of this team and most of the time we're going to execute on it.''
Sacramento, which has won four straight on the road, had won its first six home games before suffering a 98-93 setback to Minnesota on Tuesday.