Mar

23

Pacers Win 4th Straight, Beat Bulls 108-101

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main 

Indiana Pacers swingman Mike Dunleavy, right, blocks Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng?s shot during the fourth quarter of their game, played on Saturday. Dunleavy scored 25 as Indiana defeated Chicago 108-101.

The Indiana Pacers, admittedly, do not deserve to be in the?league playoffs this season; but here they are, just 1 1/2 games out of the 8th and final playoff spot.? In Saturday’s game against the Chicago Bulls, they played with a sense of urgency.? Oddly enough, they were outshot (48.2 vs. 43.7%) and out-rebounded 49-43.? But perhaps it was the 3-pointers they made (13).? What is certain is that Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy combined for 49 points, leading Indiana to the victory over Chicago 108-101 at United Center.

Fast-forwarding to the fourth quarter, after Indiana was outscored 29-18 in the 3rd period, Pacers coach Jim O’Brien inserted a smaller lineup, save for Shaune Wiliams at center; the move worked as Williams made both of his shots in the quarter and going 3-of-4 from the free throw line.? Indiana trailed 84-73 after three quarters and by 13 in the fourth period, but the Pacers manufactured a 13-1 run which pulled Indiana to within 89-88 with 6:31 left in the game.?

Chicago would go on a 6-2 spurt, but Indiana would respond with 5 points in a row, taking their first lead; Indiana’s Williams would put?his team up for good when he drained a 3-pointer, giving Indiana a 99-97 lead with 2:16 remaining.? Indiana’s high scorer was Dunleavy with 25 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block while Murphy scored 24 - including?5 treys - with 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal; Danny Granger added 18 with 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

Chicago was led by Luol Deng with 28 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a block while Ben Gordon, from off the bench, scored 21 with a rebound,?4 assists and a steal; Sideshow Bob Joakim Noah added 16 with 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.? Indiana (29-41)?take their remaining playoff hopes to the Big Easy when they face the Hornets on Tuesday while Chicago (27-42) flies to Atlanta to take on the Hawks - also on Tuesday.?



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