INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Chicago Bulls will have little
time to recover from a heartbreaking loss when they visit the
Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
After trailing by as many as 27 points, the Bulls rallied to
take a fourth-quarter lead, but eventually lost to the New
Jersey Nets, 111-106, in double overtime Friday.
Kirk Hinrich scored a career-high 34 points and had eight
assists in the loss. A pair of rookies had impressive starts
for Chicago. Luol Deng, the seventh overall pick in this year's
draft, scored 18 points and Argentinian forward Andres Nocioni
added 17 with 14 rebounds.
Despite several injury woes, the Pacers have opened the season
with two road victories and will play their home opener against
the Bulls.
Indiana has been without the services of Reggie Miller, Jeff
Foster and Jonathan Bender this season, while Jermaine O'Neal
missed the opener because of a sore foot.
O'Neal was listed as doubtful going into Friday's 100-94 win
over the Boston Celtics, but the All-Star forward scored 19
points in 24 minutes off the bench.
Ron Artest has been the focal point of the offense while O'Neal
mends. Artest has averaged 30 points and eight rebounds in the
Pacers' first two contests.
Austin Croshere has taken advantage of extra playing time,
averaging 18 in the two wins.
Indiana was 3-1 against Chicago last season.




