Pacers Overcome 17-Point Deficit, Beat Warriors 125-117

Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger (33) puts up a shot against Golden State Warriors forward Matt Barnes during the first quarter of their game, played Wednesday night. Granger scored 29 points, leading Indiana past Golden State 125-117.

Wednesday night’s game between the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers almost mirrored their last contest, which took place last Sunday at Oracle Arena in Oakland. Perhaps the only difference being that the Pacers dug deep and with help from Danny Granger, overcame a 17-point deficit to nip the Warriors 125-117 at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Golden State started the game with an 11-0 run, and the Pacers wouldn’t score their first points until Kareem Rush’s basket with 8:57 left in the first quarter. The Warriors, while leading the Pacers 29-18 after one period, set an NBA record for steals in a period with 12. Indiana would recover a bit in reducing the Warriors’ edge to 55-51 at halftime. Golden State would hold on to a 93-79 after the third period, but they would shoot cold to start the fourth quarter.

Indiana’s Granger would score 9 points in the first 3 minutes of the quarter as part of a 13-3 run that would reduce the Warriors’ lead to 96-92. Indiana finally took the lead, 101-98, on a 3-pointer with 6:33 left in the game. Golden State’s Matt Barnes was called for a flagrant foul for impeding Indiana’s Mike Dunleavy; as a result, Dunleavy made both free throws then made a layup on the extra possession, giving the Pacers a 107-101 lead. Golden State reduced the Pacers’ lead to 115-114 on a dunk by Andris Biedrins, but Indiana’s Rush hit a jumper with 43 seconds to play.

The Warriors’ Stephen Jackson missed a trey attempt, and Baron Davis fouled Granger after the rebound; Granger made both free throws to give Indiana a 119-114 lead, essentially sealing the win for the Pacers. Indiana had 6 players in double-digits, led by Granger with 29 points - including 3 three-pointers - and 9 rebounds; Dunleavy added 24 and grabbed 9 boards, while Rush chipped in with 19, which included 5 treys. Troy Murphy came off the bench to contribute 16 and Jeff Foster grabbed 12 rebounds in only 21 minutes.

Golden State also had 6 players in double-digits, led by Davis with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists; Al Harrington scored a quiet 22 - including 5 three-pointers, while Matt Barnes pitched in with 18 with 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Jackson scored 17 on 6-of-19 shooting in a losing effort. Indiana (18-22) continues their homestand by hosting the Sacramento Kings Saturday night, while Golden State (23-17) travels north up I-65 to take on the Chicago Bulls Friday.