<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ron Artest won't be getting much time off anytime soon. He and the rest of the short-handed Indiana Pacers will return to Conseco Fieldhouse hoping to end a two-game losing streak when they host the New York Knicks. The Pacers have dropped two straight after starting the season 4-0 despite injuries to several key players. Allen Iverson hit a 14-footer at the overtime buzzer Friday, lifting the Philadelphia 76ers over the Pacers 106-104. The loss spoiled the return of Artest to the Pacers lineup after he was benched for two games for asking for time off to rest his aching body and promote his label's upcoming R&B album. Artest scored 29 points in 50 minutes, and Jermaine O'Neal finished with a career-high 39 points to lead Indiana. Artest and O'Neal combined to go 24-for-38 from the field, but it wasn't enough as Indiana suffered its second straight defeat. Artest's return helped offset the absences of center Scot Pollard (sore back), forward Jonathan Bender (viral infection), guard Fred Jones (quad strain) and center John Edwards (personal reasons). With Reggie Miller (hand), Anthony Johnson (hand) and Jeff Foster (hip) also out, the Pacers only had eight players available. New York should be well-rested after cruising to a 110-96 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. After suffering an embarrassing 34-point loss to Boston in their home opener, the Knicks are looking much more comfortable on offense. ``It's night and day,'' said guard Jamal Crawford, who scored 19 points. ``We feel we can put some wins together and keep rolling.'' New York's offense will have to continue to improve as the Knicks get ready to begin a difficult road trip. The Knicks play their next four games at Indiana, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas -- all playoff teams a season ago. ``It's a very tough road trip, a very good test for us,'' said Stephon Marbury, who had 21 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds before sitting out the fourth quarter. ``We have to raise our intensity to another level.'' New York has only 11 players on the active roster after releasing swingman Shandon Anderson on Wednesday. Earlier Friday, the Knicks were set to sign free agent forward Eddie Robinson to fill the roster spot before he failed a physical. New York will stick with an 11-man roster until Jamison Brewer or Bruno Sundov comes off the injured list following Saturday's game at Indiana. Allan Houston also is on the injured list but is not close to returning from chronic knee soreness. STANDINGS (through Nov. 10): Pacers - 1st place (tied), Central Division. PROBABLE STARTERS: Knicks - F Kurt Thomas, F Tim Thomas, C Nazr Mohammed, G Crawford, G Marbury. Pacers - F Artest, F O'Neal, C David Harrison, G Jones, G Jamaal Tinsley. TEAM LEADERS: Knicks - Crawford, 18.5 ppg; Kurt Thomas, 11.0 rpg; Marbury, 9.5 apg. Pacers - Artest, 25.5 ppg; Pollard, 9.3 rpg; Tinsley, 8.7 apg. 2003-04 SEASON SERIES: Pacers, 3-1. LAST MEETING: April, 6; Pacers, 107-86. At Indiana, Artest had 26 points and O'Neal added 20 to lead the Pacers. Mohammed scored 20 points to pace New York, which committed 20 turnovers in the loss. ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Knicks - 0-1 on the road; Pacers - 1-1 at home. INJURIES: Knicks - G Houston (knee); G Brewer (toe); C Sundov (Achilles'). Pacers - G Miller (hand); C Foster (hip); G Johnson (hand); C Pollard (back); F Bender (knee).</div> Link <font color="Blue"><u>MagicFan3's Predicition</u></font> I think the Pacers will win this game 86-79. I think Artest will have 23 points and Jermaine O' Neal will have 18 points and 9 rebounds. The game will be down to the wire but the Pacers will pull off the win.Link
yeah pacers is gonna win this at home. j.oneal and artest will shine again, tinsley is going to feed more balls and i predict pacers win by 11
I said 86-79. The score was 88-82 so I was close . I was wrong with the players scoring though. Good game by the Pacers pulling this one off.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MagicFan3:</div><div class="quote_post">I said 86-79. The score was 88-82 so I was close . I was wrong with the players scoring though. Good game by the Pacers pulling this one off.</div> It was 103-97 and the Knicks probably would have won if Crawford hadn't left the game on that play by Jackson. I'm surprised that pushing a guy as his head is slamming into the hard wood forcing him to leave isn't considered a flagrent. It would have been a wrap if JC had played.
