Pacers host KG and T’Wolves

Jermaine O’Neal scored 22 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, as the Pacers downed the Orlando Magic, 89-78, on Monday at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Ron Artest contributed 17 points for the Pacers, who won their fifth straight game and remained atop the Central Division with an NBA-best record of 11-2. Austin Croshere added 15 points and five boards over 22 minutes off the bench in the victory. The Pacers, the only unbeaten team on the road in the NBA, also received nine points from Reggie Miller.

Artest put up eight points in the third quarter, including a layup that saw the visitors push their lead to 59-50 with just over 4:30 to go in the frame. Orlando was able to stay with the Pacers, though, as a Drew Gooden bucket with under a minute to go capped the third-quarter scoring and the Magic were within single digits, 65-56, as the fourth quarter began.

Indiana scored 12 of the first 19 points in the fourth quarter, though, and increased its lead to 77-63 when O’Neal made a free throw. The Pacers did not let up and cruised to victory.

Indiana shot 36 percent from beyond the arc.

The Pacers, who are 11-2 at home against the Timberwolves, are 4-2 as the host this season.

Minnesota comes into tonight’s contest on a three-game winning streak.

Garnett collected 30 points and 19 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves over the Los Angeles Clippers, 103-91, on Saturday at the Target Center.

Sam Cassell posted 18 points and eight assists for the Timberwolves, who won their third straight game for the first time this season.

The Timberwolves are 4-2 on the road this season.

In 2002-03, the Pacers won both contests between the two teams. Indiana defeated the T-Wolves, 87-80, at Conseco Fieldhouse on November 2, 2002 and then took home a 107-101 decision at the Target Center 14 days later.

Overall, Indiana has won three in a row and four of the last five meetings between the two squads.

Minnesota has lost eight of its last nine at Indiana.