Indiana 101, Portland 93
Granger, defense lead to winning streak
By Conrad Brunner | Feb. 9, 2008
The confluence of circumstances was frightening.
Leading by three points at halftime, the Pacers played the third period without three injured starters, shot 4-of-16 from the floor and missed all six of their 3-point attempts.
Rather than collapsing under the weight of their offensive woes, the Pacers dug in and played their best defense in weeks – possibly months – and actually extended their lead to eight, which represented the final margin in a 101-93 victory over Portland Saturday before 14,130 in Conseco Fieldhouse. The Blazers shot 5-of-17 and committed nine turnovers in the third period.
As a result, the Pacers (21-30) have their first winning streak, albeit a modest two games, since winning three straight from Dec. 15-19.
"How about it?" said Coach Jim O'Brien. "It's hard for me to emote after a game because I'm generally pretty fatigued but winning's great. We love winning. I'm happy to see people who work so hard have a smile on their faces. It's nice to see them go out and earn a couple of victories. It's a great feeling. It even feels better the next morning."
As the team's losing streak reached seven with home defeats at the hands of the Pistons, Rockets and Magic, O'Brien kept saying he believed the team was playing much better. The consecutive victories over the Knicks and Blazers may be the manifestation of that progress.
"I thought we really grew as a team and we didn't have anything to show for it other than my words, which doesn't get anything," O'Brien said. "I'd like to think we're making some strides but certainly a game against Boston (Tuesday) and then one against Detroit (Wednesday) will give us a feeling whether we have made the strides."
Danny Granger scored a game-high 29 and played what Portland Coach Nate McMillan described as "a perfect game" to lead the Pacers, who won despite shooting .369 overall and 10-of-33 (.303) from the 3-point line. They outscored Portland 29-18 from the free-throw line, just the second time this season they've enjoyed a double-digit free-throw advantage – both against the Blazers. Portland's 93 points represented the fewest allowed by the Pacers in 17 games, and the Pacers committed just seven turnovers after a season-low six Wednesday in New York.
Travis Diener scored 15 with nine assists, Troy Murphy 13 with eight rebounds and Mike Dunleavy 11 before leaving in the second quarter with a bruised knee. Jeff Foster (10 points, 14 rebounds) and Kareem Rush (10 points, a career-high 11 rebounds) both had double-doubles.
Noteworthy …