NBA
Scores/Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Message board
Weekly lineup

  Tuesday, Oct. 17 8:00pm ET
Indiana 96, Minnesota 93
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ Jermaine O'Neal scored 20 points, including the game-winning free throws, and grabbed 14 rebounds as Indiana beat Minnesota 94-93 in an exhibition game Tuesday night.

O'Neal, in his first season with the Pacers (3-1) after four with Portland, was one of four players who went straight from the preps to the pros on display at Target Center. After being fouled by Joe Smith with 23.7 seconds left, O'Neal made two foul shots to put Indiana ahead 94-93.

Jonathan Bender and Al Harrington, the rest of the Pacers' high-school-to-NBA trio, keyed Indiana's fourth-quarter comeback from a 19-point deficit.

Bender, who had 12 points, added two late free throws to put the Pacers up 96-93. Harrington had the Pacers' first three field goals of the final period and a driving layup to pull Indiana within 92-89. Bender's jumper cut it to 92-91 with 2:29 left.

Kevin Garnett, the Timberwolves' high-school hero, had 18 points and eight assists.

Chauncey Billups had 20 points and seven assists and helped the Wolves (2-2) build a big lead late in the third quarter. Billups had baskets on three consecutive possessions _ two from 3-point range _ to put the Wolves ahead 82-64.

But Indiana outscored Minnesota 32-11 the rest of the way.

Smith, who scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds before fouling out, didn't appear to be affected by the ongoing arbitration hearing over the illegal negotiations involving his long-term contract.

Reggie Miller had 17 points and six rebounds for Indiana.

 


ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Indiana Clubhouse

Minnesota Clubhouse


RECAPS
Milwaukee 95
Denver 83

Detroit 99
Dallas 98

Orlando 99
New Jersey 94

Indiana 96
Minnesota 93

Washington 104
Chicago 103

Houston 101
Seattle 91

Utah 96
Cleveland 88

LA Clippers 90
Portland 83

Phoenix 86
LA Lakers 78