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If ever there was a key game for the Indiana Pacers to win in order to realize their quest for a visit to the playoffs, Saturday’s game against the Charlotte Bobcats could be considered the one.? But there was a slight problem – Jason Richardson.? Richardson scored 26 points, leading Charlotte to a narrow, 107-103 victory over Indiana at Conseco Fieldhouse; the Pacers’ loss puts them on playoff life-support – meaning that Indiana needs to win their final?two games, while the Atlanta Hawks need to lose their last 2.

Charlotte went into halftime with a 57-52 lead and took advantage of “second-chance” opportunities to take an 84-74 lead going into the fourth quarter; however, the Pacers would get?back in the game late in the?period, as a free throw by Travis Diener put Indiana to within 100-95 with 3:30?to play.? Jeff Foster got a basket, thanks to a goaltending call on Charlotte’s Emeka Okafor, which would make the Bobcats’ lead shrink to 101-97.? Travis Diener would drain a 3-pointer, cutting Charlotte’s lead to 101-100 with 1:03 left in the game; the Bobcats’ Okafor made a pair of free throws to make it 103-100 with 44 ticks left on the clock.? Indiana’s Marquis Daniels missed a shot, Charlotte rebounded, then Raymond Felton made a pair of free throws, making it 105-100 with 24 seconds remaining – icing the game.

Charlotte was led by the aforementioned Richardson with 26 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and a block while Jared Dudley scored 19 with 8 rebounds and 2 assists; Felton added 18 with 5 rebounds, 12 assists and a steal while Nazr Mohammed pitched in with 16, along with 13 rebounds, a steal and 2 blocks.? Okafor recorded a double-double, scoring 14 with 18 rebounds, an assist and a block.? Indiana was led by Danny Granger with a career-high 37 points, including 6 three-pointers, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block while Mike Dunleavy scored 22 with 3 treys, 3 rebounds and 7 assists.? Charlotte (31-49) will now travel to New Jersey to take on the Nets on Tuesday while Indiana (35-45)?travels to Washington, D.C. to face the Wizards in a must-win game on Monday.