RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Nets coach Byron Scott
says he's willing to take improvement a little at a time.
He's getting it a lot quicker.
Stephon Marbury had 20 points and 10 assists and Johnny Newman
came off the bench to add 16 -- including a key basket in the final
minute -- as New Jersey defeated Indiana 97-92 Saturday night.
The Nets improved to 5-4. A year ago, they were 1-8 after nine
games.
"This was great win," Scott said. "In the third, Reggie Miller
started putting on a show, but we kept our composure and continued
to play hard. In the fourth quarter we did a great job of making
stops and hitting big shots.
"Our guys should be proud of their record right now and how
they have played," Scott said. "They should be especially proud
since we're not fully healthy and have a tough schedule ... but it
shouldn't stop here,"
The Nets led 76-62 midway through the third quarter only to see
the Pacers come back Miller, who had 14 of his 31 points in the third.
It was 82-78 after Travis Best opened the fourth quarter for
Indiana with a basket.
The Nets still led 92-87 with 3:11 remaining after Marbury hit
one of two free throws. But Jermaine O'Neal hit a free throw and
Best scored on a drive with 1:51 to play, cutting the gap to 92-90.
Kendall Gill came back with a drive for the Nets, making it
94-90 with a minute remaining. After Miller hit a pair of free
throws, Newman iced the victory on a 23-foot jumper with 37.8
seconds left.
"We turned the ball over (22 times) and couldn't rebound,"
said Pacers coach Isiah Thomas. "Until we get some consistency we
hurt ourselves. I think tonight fatigue really got to Travis. You
could see he was wearing down."
The Nets closed the first half with a 12-3 run that included
five points by Kenyon Martin and Marbury's half-court shot at the
buzzer to take a 63-48 lead into the lockerroom.
Martin added 15 points and 13 rebounds for New Jersey while Jermaine O'Neal had 23 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks for the
Pacers.
Marbury scored just four points in the fourth quarter but did a
great defensive job on Best. The Nets now embark on a four-game
trip to the West.
"Going on the road we have to have our minds right as far as
going out every night and playing with the same intensity we have
been playing with," Marbury said."
Game notes
The game closed a five-game homestand for New Jersey, which
begins its Western swing Monday at the Los Angeles Clippers. ...
Indiana forward Al Harrington saw action after missing the last
three games with a sprained right ankle. ... The Pacers reamain
without guard Jalen Rose (broken left wrist) and it forced Thomas
to play Best 42 minutes and Miller 43. ... Thomas said he thinks it
will be another month before Rose is back.
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NBA Scoreboard
Indiana Clubhouse
New Jersey Clubhouse
RECAPS
Toronto 111
Milwaukee 102
Washington 109
Boston 89
Minnesota 94
Atlanta 84
Miami 86
Portland 80
New Jersey 97
Indiana 92
Houston 94
Phoenix 89
Denver 87
LA Lakers 86
Utah 109
Chicago 64
Dallas 91
Vancouver 88
Seattle 86
LA Clippers 83
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