Slam Dunk Central

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Sunday’s game between the Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors was a homecoming, of sorts - especially for some of the Indiana Pacers.? Not long ago, Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy and Ike Diogu were members of the Warriors.? Ironically, they were traded to Indiana in an 8-player trade that sent Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson to Golden State, a transaction that would change both teams’ fortunes.

But this game was decided by none of the above principals; as a matter of fact, it was one Monta Ellis.? Ellis’ 9 fourth-quarter points sparked a Warriors comeback, enabling Golden State to slide just past Indiana 106-101?in front of a crowd that initially seemed more interested in booing Dunleavy.? Indiana outshot Golden State in the major categories:?field goal percentage (48.1 vs. 41.8%), 3-point percentage (36.4 vs. 24.2%) and free?throws made (19 vs. 16).? Unfortunately for the Pacers, turnovers hurt them big time (23 committed).

Golden State and Indiana “nip-and-tucked” it all the way to halftime, with Indiana holding a slim 54-45 edge.? Fast forward to the fourth quarter; after Indiana’s Dunleavy hit a 3-pointer to give the Pacers a 97-93 lead, the Warriors’ Ellis and Matt Barnes tied things up at 97 on consecutive jumpers with 2:36 remaining in the game.? Ellis put Golden State up 100-98 with a 3-point play; after Indiana’s Dunleavy missed his free throw, the Warriors’ Andris Biedrins tipped home an Ellis miss with 17.8 ticks left on the clock, icing the game for Golden State.

Golden State was led by Ellis with 29 points with 8 rebounds and 4 assists, while Baron Davis poured in 27 along with 7 rebounds and 6 assists.? Harrington chipped in with 14.? Indiana was led by Jermaine O’Neal with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocked shots.? Danny Granger added 20 while grabbing 8 boards, while Dunleavy had a fine effort, scoring 18 while grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 7 assists.? Golden State (22-16) will now travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday night, while Indiana (17-22) returns home for the rematch against Golden State on Wednesday.