=== Indiana Pacers Team Report - January 21 === (Betting Express) - - Jermaine O'Neal had 28 points and 15 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers cooled off the red-hot Detroit Pistons, 81-69, on Tuesday in a battle of the two best teams in the Eastern Conference at Conseco Fieldhouse. Reggie Miller added 22 points as he went 3-of-6 from three-point range and 7- of-7 from the foul line for the Pacers, who have won five straight and 12 of their last 13 overall. "Reggie has played brilliantly the last week," said Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle. "Without him, I don't know where we would be in this recent stretch. Hid aggressiveness level has picked up the last 10 days." Ron Artest added 10 points and five steals for Indiana, which is off to its best start in the franchise's NBA history (33-11). The Pacers have won all three meetings with Detroit this year and have captured four straight in the series overall. Indiana leads the Pistons by 3 1/2 games for the top spot in both the conference and the Central Division. The Pacers improved to 17-4 at home this season. O'Neal has scored 20 or more points and has pulled down at least 10 rebounds in six straight games. The Pacers are off until Friday when they host Steve Francis and the Houston Rockets. |
