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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- For weeks, the Indiana Pacers couldn't do
anything right. Now, they can't do anything wrong. Jalen Rose
scored 20 points and the Indiana Pacers used relentless
fourth-quarter defense to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 89-74
Monday night.
"I don't know if we've turned the corner or are around the
corner or are in the corner," coach Isiah Thomas said after the
Pacers won their second straight game. "I just know we're
progressing, we're getting better."
While Indiana struggled offensively against the Clippers, the
defense took a gigantic leap forward.
Indiana limited the Clippers to one basket in the first 7:16 of
the fourth quarter. The Clippers shot 36.5 percent and scored 13
points in the fourth. The Pacers allowed just 10 points in the
fourth quarter during a victory against Miami on Saturday.
"When we defend in the fourth quarter, I think we are one of
the best teams in this league," Thomas said. "I think right now,
we're getting back to that defensive mindset."
Austin Croshere added 13 points for the Pacers, who had five
players in double figures. Indiana's reserves outscored the NBA's
highest scoring backups 37-9.
"They played tough tonight," said Clippers guard Jeff McInnis,
who had 14 points and six assists. "They didn't let us be
aggressive on defense by being aggressive on offense. It's tough
sometimes."
The Pacers led 66-61 lead after three quarters, before pulling
away in the fourth quarter for the second straight game.
Jermaine O'Neal, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds, opened the
quarter by hitting a 17-footer. The Pacers followed that by forcing
a shot-clock violation, and then opened up the game with a
five-point possession.
Croshere drove to the basket, drawing a flagrant foul on Sean
Rooks. Croshere hit both free throws and the Pacers retained
possession.
Rose then hit an 8-foot runner and drew another foul. His
three-point play gave Indiana a 73-63 lead with 10:26 remaining.
Indiana's defense didn't allow another basket till Lamar Odom
hit a 3-footer with 7:02 to go and didn't allow a second basket
till Keyon Dooling's runner with 4:43 left.
"Our defense was a great effort," Rose said. "It doesn't take
a mathematician to figure that a 74-point and a 71-point defensive
effort averages about 73. We hope to hang our hats on a strong
defensive effort and everybody helping each other out.
"When we do this, things should always fall in place."
Odom finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Darius Miles
added 19 points and 13 rebounds.
"We missed easy shots, we just didn't make them and they
converted," Clippers coach Alvin Gentry said. "We are a young
team struggling to execute."
Game notes
The Clippers trio of Odom, Miles and Michael Olowokandi
entered the game accounting for 42.7 percent of Los Angeles' points
in its last four games. That trend continued Monday as the three
combined for 46 points, or 62.1 percent of the Clippers points. ...
The Clippers entered the game with the NBA's highest-scoring
reserves at 39.0 points per game. ... Indiana's Sam Perkins played
in his 1,254th career game, tying him with Paul Silas for eighth
all time. ... Ten Pacers scored in the first half, but none had
more than six points.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
LA Clippers Clubhouse
Indiana Clubhouse
RECAPS
New York 104
San Antonio 82
Milwaukee 101
Washington 95
Philadelphia 84
Charlotte 79
New Jersey 84
Atlanta 78
Sacramento 116
Dallas 105
Boston 107
Minnesota 102
Cleveland 107
Golden State 101
Indiana 89
LA Clippers 74
Orlando 113
Chicago 104
LA Lakers 113
Vancouver 112
Denver 122
Seattle 111
Utah 116
Houston 104
FROM
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