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Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger (right) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut.

While the Indiana Pacers, prior to their game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Conseco Fieldhouse on Friday night, had a one-game lead over the Charlotte Bobcats and three over the Bucks.

That in and itself would tell you that the Pacers would continue to win despite the seemingly safe distance between them and the aforementioned two teams. Naturally, the Bucks would be coming into this contest wiht their backs against the wall and be playing with an extreme sense of urgency.

Indiana led by double-digits in the third, but Milwaukee would rally back; however, Drew Gooden’s failed three-point attempt late in the fourth quarter helped the PAcers edge the Bucks 89-88, moving them closer to that elusive final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Darren Collison’s floater in the lane with 2.2 seconds left in the first half gave Indiana a 46-39 lead at the intermission; they shot 60 percent in the second quarter while Milwaukee shot just 6-of-25 in the period.

The Pacers continued their hot shooting in the third, using a 6-0 spurt, highlighted by a steal and layup by Collison, for a 52-39 lead that forced the Bucks ot use a timeout.

Indiana still led by nine going into the fourth quarter before Brandon Jennings scored nine points and rallied the Bucks.

Mlwaukee cut Indiana’s lead to 87-86  on a jumper by John Salmons with 1:29 remaining in the game. Roy Hibbert dunked at the other end before Salmons drained another basket, trimming the Pacers’ lead to 89-88 with 26.7 ticks left on the game clock.

Indiana worked the clock on their next possession, but Collison’s floater was short.

The Bucks rebounded and then called a timeout with 2.7 seconds left to set up Gooden’s game-winning shot attempt from beyond the arc, which came up short – ensuring the win for Indiana.

Danny Granger led the Pacers with 17 points, along with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal while Hibbert added 15 with 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. Brandon Rush came off the bench to chip in 12 with 3 rebounds and an assist.

The Bucks were led by Jennings with 20 points, along with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while Andrew Bogut added 16 with 6 rebounds, a steal and 2 blocks. Corey Maggette came off the bench to chip in 13 with 4 rebounds.

Indiana (35-42) plays again on Sunday as they travel to The Big Easy to tak on the New Orleans Hornets while Milwaukee (30-45) returns home to host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.