Bulls, Pacers clash at Conseco Fieldhouse

The teams meet one day after the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts clinched berths in this year’s Super Bowl.

Indiana enters the game on a four-game losing streak. David Lee had 20 points and 16 rebounds off the bench, and Nate Robinson hit a trio of free throws with under 11 seconds to play, as the New York Knicks held on to defeat the new-look Pacers, 108-106, at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The loss spoiled the debuts of three new players for the Pacers. One of those players, Mike Dunleavy, started in the game and ended with 14 points.

Dunleavy was acquired from Golden State on Wednesday along with Troy Murphy, Ike Diogu and Keith McLeod. The Pacers in turn sent Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson, Sarunas Jasikevicius and Josh Powell to the Warriors.

Murphy ended with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Diogu played just over five minutes and did not score. McLeod did not play because of a strained abdominal muscle.

Jermaine O’Neal led Indiana with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Danny Granger had 19 points. Jamaal Tinsley ended with 15 points and seven assists in defeat.

Indiana is 10-7 at home this season.

Chicago also tries to get back on the winning track. Mehmet Okur posted 21 points and 11 rebounds, as the Utah Jazz topped the Bulls, 95-85, on Saturday at the United Center.

Ben Gordon netted 23 and dished out six assists for the Bulls, who had a three-game winning streak halted. Kirk Hinrich notched 22 points, five boards and four assists, while Luol Deng posted 12 points and seven boards.

The Bulls are 6-12 on the road this season.

This is the third meeting of the campaign between the clubs. Chicago won a pair of contests at the United Center.

Chicago has dropped 15 of its last 16 at Indiana. The Bulls have won three in a row in the series.