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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SEATTLE (AP) -- Jermaine O'Neal can thank a pair of veterans for
one of the biggest games of his short career.
With Sam Perkins and Derrick McKey starting together for the
first time this season, O'Neal broke loose for 20 points and 15
rebounds -- his 16th career double-double -- as the Indiana Pacers
beat the Seattle SuperSonics 91-83 Tuesday night.
|  | | Vin Baker is assisted by Sonics trainer Mike Shimensky in the second quarter. Baker left the game with a sprained ankle but returned and finished with 14 points. |
"I thought the veterans being out on the floor helped (O'Neal)
a lot," said Indiana coach Isiah Thomas, who fielded his ninth
different starting lineup of the season. "It was an intelligent
game that Sam and Derrick played. By positioning themselves away
from the ball, they were able to put Jermaine in position to score
with the ball. He also didn't pick up those early fouls."
O'Neal, whose 15 rebounds matched his career best, also had five
blocked shots. He was particularly impressive in the first quarter,
scoring 12 of Indiana's first 14 points in the first 5:14 against
Patrick Ewing.
Indiana guard Jalen Rose enjoyed watching the Pacers' young
center get involved early.
"We were just trying to keep him in the game," Rose said. "A
lot of times when you have a young talented player, if they don't
get going early, they don't get going at all."
O'Neal shot 4-for-7 from the field, made all six free throws,
had six rebounds and three blocks in the first period.
"I made a couple of moves early and made the shots," said
O'Neal, who came to Indiana in an off-season trade with Portland
for Dale Davis. "This team rolls off the guy who has it going.
Early in the game it was me."
Reggie Miller, held to single-digit scoring in his last two
games, scored 16 points as the Pacers snapped a two-game losing
streak. Travis Best added 18 points, 12 in the fourth quarter.
Vin Baker, Shammond Williams and Rashard Lewis each scored 14
points for the Sonics, who had a five-game home winning streak
snapped. Brent Barry added 13.
Gary Payton's streak of scoring in double figures was halted at
70 games. Payton, the Sonics' leading scorer, shot 3-for-9 from the
field for six points and finished with 10 assists.
Payton has been battling a groin injury for a month, Sonics
coach Nate McMillan said. He aggravated the injury Saturday against
Charlotte.
"He tried to go," McMillan said of Payton, who has started 347
consecutive games. "He wanted to go and really just could not get
into it. That's a tough situation where he has to make a decision
about how healthy he is. If he's going to be out there, then he has
to play."
The Sonics shot 18-for-28 from the line.
Indiana took the lead for good, 83-82, on Rose's jumper with
4:14 left. Rose scored 14 points on 7-for-21 shooting from the
field. The Pacers outscored Seattle 10-1 in the final 4:37 as the
Sonics missed their last 10 shots.
"We've been in a lot of game that we've lost," Best said.
"Down the stretch is where we've given games up."
Seattle led 50-44 at halftime and held the lead for all but
seconds of the third quarter.
Perkins' 3-pointer gave Indiana a brief 58-56 advantage. But a
dunk by Jelani McCoy and jumper by Ewing gave Seattle the lead
until the final minutes of the game.
Williams played the entire second quarter and seized control of
the game when Payton drew his third fouled and left the game with
8:15 left in the half.
Williams scored five straight points as the Sonics took a 43-41
lead with 3:36 left in the half. Payton, who averages more than 41
minutes per game, played just one minute in the quarter. Williams
finished with 11 points in the period.
Game notes
Baker injured his right knee while going for an offensive
rebound and left the game with 6:58 left in the second quarter. He
returned in the second half. ... Tuesday's game was the first of a
six-game road trip for the Pacers, who are 2-5 on the road against
Western Conference teams. ... Seattle starts a five-game road trip
Thursday at Minnesota. ... Seattle is 20-7 at home against the
Pacers.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Indiana Clubhouse
Seattle Clubhouse
RECAPS
Washington 115
Minnesota 108
Atlanta 92
Boston 81
Houston 100
Cleveland 95
New Jersey 120
Orlando 110
Milwaukee 104
Chicago 70
San Antonio 80
Miami 72
Indiana 91
Seattle 83
LA Clippers 110
Toronto 97
Sacramento 121
Phoenix 117
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Reggie Miller Official Site
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