Dunk of the game by who other than highflyer Ricky Davis
The Indiana Pacers pulled off the win in a close and exciting game of basketball between two of the NBA's current best teams.
Starting 5:
C Jermaine O'Neal
PF Al Harrington
SF Marquis Daniels
SG Ricky Davis
PG Sarunas Jasekivicius
C Elton Brand
PF Tim Thomas
SF Cuttino Mobley
SG Corey Maggette
PG Sam Cassel
The 1st quarter was everything Rick Carlisle and his Indiana team could have hoped for, clearly missing the dominant presence of Chris Kaman behind them, the Clippers struggled on defense allowing the Pacers to race off ta 7-0 lead. Maggette put some final points on the board as the quarter went on but Jermaine O'Neal and Harrington kept the door shut and were unselfish on offense, allowing Davis and Daniels to add to their tallys.
1st Quarter: Pacers 30-16 Clippers
LA came out in the second looking more relaxed having got the first quarter over with, but they still had a mountain to climb if they were to get back in this game. Sam Cassel lead the way with his opening points of the night a three pointer. Mobley and Maggette followed and the Staples Center was sensing a come-back. Harrington and Daniels did get in the back door for some points wich meant they still had the upper hand by half-time.
Half-Time: Pacers 43-38 Clippers
Jermaine O'Neal got some nice shots to fall but Cassel continued to find his men, this was clearly a problem and Carlisle bought on the quicker of his point-guards, Darrel Armstrong, who had to play well if he was going to be given a chance at the starting PG position again. He did just that and stole of Cassel in his first 30 seconds and layed-up for the easy 2. But Elton Brand and Tim Thomas dunked monstrously to keep the scores close along with Maggette.
3rd Qaurter: Pacers 60-56 Clippers
Cuttino Mobley came out in the 4th and got 2 quick baskets to tie the game at 60-60, Tim Thomas gave the Clippers their first lead of the game but Harrington and Davis quickly took it away. The game went back and forth from then on with both teams executing good offense. Harrington and Thomas were the stand-outs and made the score 77-75 to Indiana but baskets frm Mobley and Maggette brang the game to within 1. However a block and basket from Jermaien O'Neal -who is making a big push for not only defensive player of the year but also MVP- made the score 85-82 with 20 seconds left. The Clippers called a time-out and had to get the three. It would left on the shoulders of Sam Cassel, but it wasn't his night as he air-balled it, luckily though, Elton Brand jammed home the rebound. As soon as the pass came inbound from Marquis Daniels, Armstrong was fouled by Cassel who was fouled out. He made them both. LA took another TO with the score at 87-84. They had another chance to go into over-time. They came out with a different shooter- Cuttino Mobley, but his shot was swatted down the other end of the court by who other than Jermaine O'Neal. The buzzer went as he roared and held his hands aloft in victory.
Final Score: Pacers 87-84 Clippers
Quote of the game: "NO! Rejected by Jermaine O'Neal! what a way to end the game!" Marv Albert when O'Neal rejected Mobley's OT attempt
POG: Jermaine O'Neal - 22pts, 15 rbs and shot 59% from the field
Keystats: Sam Cassel had a poor night shooting only getting 3 points, but managed to get 7 assists. Armstrong hit the vital free-throws when he was fouled and Harrington kept throwing dwon the points on offense much like Tim Thomas - who did an excellent job filling in for the injured Chris Kaman
