By Johnnie Clay – Pacers Insider
December 1, 2003 - 11:55 PM

After last night's horrible defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Pacers could've reverted to their old self and collasped from within, but not this time and not this team.

Jermaine O'Neal scored a season high 32 points 14 rebounds and 8 blocked shots as the Pacers won their 15th game of the year, defeating the Phoenix Suns 89-82 at America West Arena this evening.

The Pacers played short handed as Ron Artest was scratched from the lineup due to lower back spasms. Al Harrington filled in for the ailing Artest with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists

Though the Suns dominated more of the first half, time-wise, the Pacers managed to negate it with a brilliant 2-minute burst, thus the teams were tied at 44-all at halftime.

The Pacers appeared confused and Phoenix capitalized with a drawn-out 22-7 run that bridged the first and second periods, taking a 37-26 lead on Leandro Barbosa's 3-pointer.

Though the bench struggled, the starters came back and got things under control quickly as the Pacers countered with a 12-0 run that took less than two minutes to end the half tied up at 42 a piece.

There was little to like about the third period for either team, as they combined for just 35 points and settled nothing. Phoenix took a 62-61 lead into the fourth, when Harrington stepped forward to give the Pacers life in the opening minutes. He scored the team's first six points of the quarter and started a nine-point run that gave the Pacers much-needed cushion.

The turning point came when O'Neal blocked Amare Stoudemire's shot in the lane to start a fast break, then finished the break with a three-point play. The five-point turnaround put the Pacers ahead 82-73 with 2:52 remaining, ending any possible Suns threat to win the game.

Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle was pleased on how his team rebounded after such a devastating loss the night before.

"It was a tough game for us because it was our sixth game in eight days." Carlisle said. "We withstood some frenetic runs by Phoenix, but our guys kept their heads in the game and we kept playing and hung in."

Reggie Miller scored 15 points and 4 assists as the Pacers shot 43% (35-81) and a not-so Pacer like 25% (5-20) from three-point land. Another glaring stat was 19 turnovers for the evening as compaired to 17 for the Suns.

Jermaine O'Neal knew the Suns would be trouble tonight.

"Even with their record of 7-9, they are a much better team, especially here." O'Neal said. "The way we played when we got behind, we showed a lot of maturity. Maybe the last couple years, we don’t win this game. But we found a way to win tonight.”

Tonight was a game that the Pacers had to win, not just to remain a top the standings, but for themselves in general. A defeat tonight could've had lasting effects on this team, a win makes things just that more different for them. But now it's time to move forward and build on this win during this week long road trip.

A rare day off awaits the Pacers, who travel to Portland Tuesday, then face the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. The Blazers swept the series last year, and the Pacers' last win in Portland came in 1999.

Gametime is at 10pm (EST)