Granger’s 11 Fourth Quarter Points Boost Pacers Past Wizards 93-85

???????????????????????????????????? ? Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger, right, shoots in front of Washington Wizards center Brendan Haywood (33) in the second half of their game, played Saturday night. Granger scored 25 points, leading Indiana to the win over Washington 93-85.

Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger, while not quite an All-Star, is slowly coming into his own as the leader of the team - no offense to Jermaine O’Neal.? Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards probably pushed Granger towards being an All-Star in the near future.? Granger scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Pacers to the win over the Wizards 93-85 at Conseco Fieldhouse.? And for once, the Fieldhouse had a better attendance mark - 11,583.? While not great, it’s markedly better than the typical 10,300 crowds that come to see the Pacers play.

Neither team shot especially well - both teams shot 40% - yet Indiana’s distribution of the ball helped their cause tonight (29 assists).? Indiana held a 45-34 lead going into the third quarter, with the Pacers’ Kareem Rush scoring 12 first-half points.? Washington would battle back in the third quarter, cutting Indiana’s lead to?61-60 on Antawn Jamison’s? layup?late in the period.? The Pacers would then answer back with 7 points, including 5 by O’Neal.

Trailing by 7 entering the fourth quarter, the Wizards started a 9-0 run to tie the game at 70 with 8 minutes left in the game.? Indiana responded by scoring 7 consecutive points, including a 3-pointer by Granger.? Washington cut the lead back down to 84-79 later in the period, but Grnager’s trey and O’Neal’s jumper put Indiana back up by 10, essentially iccing the game for the Pacers.

Indiana had 5 players in double-digits, led by Granger with 25 points, including four 3-pointers.? O’Neal added 18 with 8 rebounds and 6 blocked shots, despite his 6-of-18 shooting; Troy Murphy chipped in with 13 and grabbing 8 boards.? Washington was led by Jamison’s 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Roger Mason added a quiet yet efficient 20.? Brendan Haywood grabbed 13 rebounds in a losing effort.? Indiana (15-13) doesn’t play again until Wednesday when they fly to Atlanta to taek on the Hawks; Washington (13-13) travels to Charlotte to take on the Charlotte Bobcats - also on Wednesday.