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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
CHICAGO (AP) – The Indiana Pacers don't have one of the NBA's
best records, but they are one of the league's hottest teams as the
playoffs draw near.
Zan Tabak scored a season-high 16 points and the Pacers won
their seventh straight game, beating the Chicago Bulls 93-86
Sunday.
"We wanted to be playing good ball at this time," Indiana
coach Isiah Thomas said. "One-through-twelve, we're getting
positive contributions from everyone coming off the bench."
Jalen Rose added 10 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds,
narrowly missing his first career triple-double.
"We want to be one of the hottest teams going into the
playoffs," Rose said. "Especially with a young team, you want to
carry over the emotion and excitement and know-how of winning."
Reggie Miller sat out the fourth quarter for the Pacers, whose
13-point lead was cut to three with 1:06 left before Austin
Croshere made two free throws with 48 seconds left. Jeff Foster
added a layup with 20 seconds left for a seven-point lead.
Miller had 15 points in 29 minutes and Croshere added 14 for the
Pacers (40-40) who reached .500 for the first time since being
11-11.
"A lot of times when you're struggling, a team can go either
way, but we've found a way to stay together through the tough
times," Rose said.
The Pacers, who as the final playoff seed face Philadelphia in
the first round, get to preview the series Tuesday night at Indiana
against the 76ers.
"Now we can put some tapes together and concentrate on one
team," Thomas said. "We wanted to have that momentum and positive
feeling going into the playoffs."
Indiana dominated Chicago on the boards, outrebounding the Bulls
51-34.
Tabak scored eight first-quarter points, including a dunk that
gave the Pacers a 22-21 lead after one.
The Pacers had 12 offensive rebounds and 11 second-chance
points, compared to none of each for the Bulls, in the first half.
"That's the first time I've ever been associated with a team
that didn't get an offensive board in a half," Chicago coach Tim
Floyd said.
Still, Chicago was never down more than seven points and took a
47-46 halftime lead on Marcus Fizer's late 3-pointer.
Tabak scored eight more points in the third quarter during a
19-7 Indiana run that broke open a close game. The Pacers led 73-60
after three.
Elton Brand scored 17 for the Bulls, who finished a
franchice-worst 10-31 at home. Chicago, second in the NBA in home
attendance despite their record, drew 21,788 fans for the finale.
"I know I wouldn't put up with (losing)," Brand said. "But
the fans have been here every night. We've had great support."
Game notes
Indiana won the season series 4-0. ... The Pacers are 14-26
on the road. ... Indiana brings an 11-game home winning streak into
Tuesday night's game with Philadelphia ... Brand remains on pace to
become the first Bull since Artis Gilmore (1977-79) to average 20
points and 10 rebounds in two straight seasons.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Indiana Clubhouse
Chicago Clubhouse
RECAPS
Philadelphia 89
New York 82
Boston 95
New Jersey 88
Cleveland 106
Washington 98
Orlando 90
Miami 73
Indiana 93
Chicago 86
Minnesota 107
Utah 100
Phoenix 88
Sacramento 86
LA Lakers 105
Portland 100
Charlotte 99
Detroit 90
Dallas 107
Seattle 99
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Ron Artest finishes a drive with a jam.
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