Slam Dunk Central

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The Indiana Pacers may have mistaken Arco Arena Saturday for a local bakery as the Sacramento Kings committed 23 turnovers which led to 25 Pacers points.? That benefit, plus some timely shooting from Indiana’s Mike Dunleavy, enabled the Pacers to soundly defeat the Kings 111-105.

Turnovers played a big key in Indiana being able to hold onto the lead in the first quarter as the Kings committed eleven in the first quarter, allowing the Pacers to claim a 29-21 lead.? Both teams shot well in the second quarter, but the Pacers’ Dunleavy had 18?first-half points, enabling Indiana to hold on to a 65-53 halftime lead.? Indiana guard Travis Diener contributed big in the second half, scoring 11 points in the 3rd quarter which allowed the Pacers to maintain their lead; however, Sacramento managed to stay fairly close, twice getting to within one point before falling behind 86-80 heading?into the fourth quarter.

The Kings, try as they might, couldn’t quite match Indiana’s production late, as in the final minute of the game, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal made 2 free throws and Danny Granger drained a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left to go to seal the win for the Pacers.? Indiana had 7 players in double-digits, led by Dunleavy with 23 points; Diener added 19 - including 5 treys - while Granger pitched in with 14.

Sacramento was led by Kevin Martin with a great effort coming back from a groin injury; he scored 25 points on 7-of-9 shooting and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line.? Fernando Garcia added 22, including 3 three-pointers; Brad Miller contributed a double-double with 14 and 15 rebounds.? Indiana (17-21), which snapped a 3-game losing streak, next travel west to Oakland to face the Golden State Warriors Sunday evening; Sacramento (14-21) continues their homestand as they host the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night.