Indiana 123, New Jersey 115
Defense earns Pacers split with Nets
By Conrad Brunner | March 28, 2008
For much of the year, it has been a common source for criticism. With the season on the line, it earned the praise. Shutting down the Nets in the fourth quarter with one of their best defensive performances of the year, the Pacers pulled away to beat New Jersey 123-115 Friday before 13,282 on Sixth Man Night in Conseco Fieldhouse.
"I thought our defense won the game for us," said Coach Jim O'Brien. "We really sat down and took pride in keeping the ball in front of us (in the fourth quarter). Our guys really took ownership of the defense."
Holding a perilous 92-91 lead entering the fourth quarter, the Pacers limited the Nets to three baskets in the first 11 minutes of the quarter, and then made their free throws down the stretch to keep their playoff hopes alive.
WHAT IT MEANS
The Pacers (30-43) and pulled one game behind the ninth-place Nets (31-42), who nevertheless hold the tiebreaker because of a better record against Eastern Conference teams. The Pacers remained 2½ games out of eighth place as Atlanta (32-40) beat Chicago 106-103.
TURNING POINT
The first was marked by major swings. The Pacers opened 16-9, but the Nets responded 12-2. The Pacers opened the second quarter with a 16-2 run to build a 49-35 lead but the Nets finished the half on a 28-7 run as Devin Harris exploded for 16 points to take a 63-56 lead into the second half. With Troy Murphy hitting a pair of 3-pointers, the Pacers scored the first 10 points of the third period to regain the lead. Mike Dunleavy scored the first five of the fourth to spark a 10-2 run that gave the Pacers a 102-93 lead midway through the period but the offense went dry and the Nets closed it o 104-102 with 3:35 remaining.
But the Pacers got good shots on their next two possessions with Marquis Daniels posting up Marcus Williams while the Nets hoisted tough, well-guarded shots – a quick three by Richard Jefferson and a no-chance drive in traffic by Vince Carter. Kareem Rush's 3-pointer made it 112-104 with 1:19 left and forced the Nets to foul. The Pacers made 11-of-14 from the line in the closing seconds.
HIGHLIGHTS
Murphy showed what the Pacers missed in Wednesday's loss in New Jersey, racking up 21 points and a season-high17 rebounds in just 28 minutes. Danny Granger scored 26 with seven rebounds and six assists and Mike Dunleavy scored 19, making 5-of-6 from the arc. Daniels had 14 off the bench, while Rush scored 11 with five assists and Flip Murray scored 12. Two reserves too ill to make the morning shootaround, Daniels and Travis Diener, played the entire fourth quarter, with Diener finishing with nine points and five assists. The Pacers shot 14-of-25 from the 3-point line and committed just 10 turnovers. The Pacers held the Nets to 8-of-24 shooting in the fourth quarter, including 3-of-17 in the first 11 minutes. After rolling up 63 points in the first half, the Nets were held to 52 on 18-of-48 (.375) shooting in the second.
LOWLIGHTS
After posting a career-high 15 assists against the Pacers Wednesday, Harris this time scored a career-high 27 points (with nine assists). Carter scored 33 but was 10-of-26 from the field. Richard Jefferson scored 19. Josh Boone had another big game with 15 points and 16 rebounds, while Marcus Williams scored 15.
LOWLIGHTS
Jermaine O'Neal was not in uniform for the Pacers. He said after the morning shootaround he'd be more likely to return Monday against Miami.
