Indiana Pacers Team Report - November 7

(Basketball News) - Ron Artest scored 21 points to lead Indiana to an 87-81 win over the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena Thursday.

Anthony Johnson contributed 17 points, while Jermaine O’Neal added 15 points and seven boards for the Pacers, who have won three straight games and snapped a four-game losing streak at the Meadowlands.

The Pacers opened up a 55-39 lead with just under nine minutes left in the third period on O’Neal’s jump hook. The lead reached 19 points moments later, but the Nets ended the frame on a 9-0 run and trimmed the gap to 64-54 after three quarters.

Indiana quickly got back on track to start the fourth as it began the period on a 7-0 spurt, capped by Artest’s breakaway dunk with 9:24 left in the game. The Pacers were able to hold on for the six-point victory.

Indiana’s bench outscored New Jersey’s reserves 34-7.

The Pacers host rookie sensation LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight.