Ford’s 11 Fourth Quarter Points Push Pacers Past Thunder 107-99

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap

Just because you’re a 6′0″ player who happens to be in the NBA does not mean that you cannot be effective; ask Nate Archibald – he’ll tell you. That aside, Indiana Pacers point guard T.J. Ford proved that it isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog as he scored 11 fourth-quarter points, leading Indiana to a 107-99 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Thunder got off to a fast start, shooting 52% in the first quarter to take a 34-24 lead; Oklahoma City would hold a 39-24 lead until Indiana went on an 11-0 run to climb back into the contest, holding the Thunder scoreless for 5 minutes – missing 10 consecutive shots. As a result, the Pacers would reduce Oklahoma City’s lead to 51-48 at halftime; a pair of free throws by Indiana’s Danny Granger tied the score at 58, then a jumper by Ford would give the Pacers its first lead since the opening period.

A 3-point play by the Thunder’s Robert Swift put them up 78-77 in the final minute of the third quarter, but Pacers center Jeff Foster made a free throw with 20 seconds left in the period to tie the game at 78 going into the fourth quarter. Ford would take over in the final period for Indiana; the Pacers led 96-95 in the final quarter.

Indiana guard Marquis Daniels would make a layup, giving the Pacers a 98-95 lead; a turnover by Oklahoma City would lead to a bank shot by Foster, giving the Pacers a 100-95 lead – a lead they would hold on to. The Pacers’ high scorer was Ford with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot while Granger added 20 with 7 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and 2 blocked shots; Foster had a big game, scoring 15 with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 blocked shots.

Oklahoma City was led by Kevin Durant with a game-high 37 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks while Jeff Green added 7 rebounds and an assist. Indiana (3-3) plays again on Wednesday when they fly east to take on the New Jersey Nets while Oklahoma City (1-6) travels southeast to Florida to face the Orlando Magic – also on Wednesday.

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