Tinsley came up with two big defensive plays against John Stockton in the final minute, helping the Indiana Pacers rally for a 100-97 victory over the struggling Utah Jazz.
With the score tied, 97-97, Tinsley trailed Stockton as he passed to Karl Malone and went around him. Tinsley stuck his hand in and slapped the ball away from Malone, and Jermaine O'Neal hit a lefthanded jump hook at the other end, giving Indiana a 99-97 lead with 27 seconds remaining.
 Reggie Miller takes a three pointer against the Jazz in Utah. Kent Horner NBAE/Getty Images |
"I just tried to stay in front of him," Tinsley said. "He brushed off on a high pick on the elbow and I just swiped at the ball and just happened to block it. On the (first) one, I just switched on Karl Malone and hit it from the back and (Austin) Croshere just picked up the ball."
Jalen Rose was fouled with 5.8 seconds to go but made only 1-of-2 from the line, giving the Jazz one more chance. But Stockton missed a 3-pointer after dribbling around a pick and Utah fell to 5-6 at home this season.
"We certainly didn't take care of the ball again, so that's the kiss of death," Stockton said. "Down the stretch you have to take care of the basketball, make good passes, and it allows guys to make plays."
On Sunday, Tinsley stood up to Seattle SuperSonics All-Star point guard Gary Payton, engaging in a trash-talking battle throughout the fourth quarter before Indiana lost.
Tinsley has been the top rookie in the NBA this season, but prior to his big plays he may have been having his worst game. He had been averaging 10.5 points and 8.8 assists but managed just two and three in 19 minutes.
Rose scored 25 points and Reggie Miller added 18 for the Pacers, who overcame 17 missed free throws to improve to 2-2 on their five-game road trip, which ends Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
"We did a good job. I'm proud of my team," Pacers coach Isiah Thomas said. "I'm proud of the way they hung in there and battled, and they found a way to win the basketball game."
Malone scored 18 points and Stockton totaled 13 and 11 assists for the Jazz, who continued their worst start in 19 years.
"Hopefully, everyone will keep their composure," Malone said. "We just have to stay relaxed. Maybe some of the guys are playing a little uptight right now and playing to keep from losing instead of playing to win."
Neither team led by more than six points. The Jazz had a 74-73 edge entering the fourth quarter and built it to 81-77 with 9:46 to go on a 3-pointer by John Starks, who scored 13 points.
The Pacers responded with seven straight points. Travis Best, playing his first game since returning from an injury, had two straight steals that he turned into layups and Rose's 3-pointer made it 84-81 with 7:03 left.
After a 3-pointer by Scott Padgett gave the Jazz an 86-86 tie with 5:55 remaining, Malone and Stockton combined to score the Jazz's final 11 points.
Two free throws by Stockton gave Utah a 95-92 edge with 1:55 to play, but Miller tied it with a 3-pointer 18 seconds later. Malone hit a jumper at the 1:16 mark, but Miller made a pair from the line for the fifth and final tie of the period.
O'Neal had 15 points and 12 rebounds but was the primary culprit at the stripe. Indiana made just 26-of-43 foul shots and O'Neal was 3-of-12.
"Our free-throw shooting was awful," Miller said. "We were lucky to even win the ballgame."
Best and Al Harrington scored 12 points each for the Pacers, who shot 51.5 percent (35-of-68) from the field.
Rookie Andrei Kirilenko had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Greg Ostertag added 12 and 13 for the Jazz, who shot just 41 percent (34-of-83) and held a 47-41 edge on the glass. Utah committed 17 turnovers.
"Mistakes are what costs you games, and we're making our fair share of them now not to have a chance to win," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said.
Stockton had two steals, eclipsing 3,000 for his career.