Indiana Pacers Team Report - March 21

(Basketball News) - The Pacers have slipped into a bit of a slump in recent days, losing three of their last four contests. On Saturday, Indiana fell 99-95 to the Memphis Grizzlies at The Pyramid.

Jermaine O’Neal poured in a game-high 28 points and hauled down 11 boards for the Pacers, who have dropped three of their last four contests. Ron Artest added 23 points on 10-19 shooting in 38 minutes of action. Jeff Foster contributed 17 points in the setback.

Artest was particularly fresh, as he was suspended for Friday night’s loss to Sacramento.

The Pacers used a 7-2 spurt to regain the lead in the opening stages of the final frame. Austin Croshere’s short jumper gave Indiana a 86-83 advantage with under eight minutes left in the contest.

Memphis chipped away at the Pacers lead late in the contest. Bo Outlaw drained two free throws to stake the Grizzlies to a 91-89 edge with 2:30 remaining in the contest.

James Posey would extend the Memphis lead with a bank shot in the lane, making it 93-90 with under two minutes left. The cushion would grow to six points on Memphis next possession as it was Posey again with the big basket. His three point play with 1:29 left pushed the score to 96-90. Indiana couldn’t make up the difference down the stretch.

Indiana had 60 points in the paint, while the Grizzlies scored 52.

The Pacers have seen their once commanding lead in the East dwindle to 5 1/2 games over the red hot Detroit Pistons. Indiana will try to get back on the winning track Monday, when it takes on the Chicago Bulls at Conseco Fieldhouse.