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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Pacers stop Lakers, 118-117

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Indiana Pacers guard T.J. Ford, looking to pass, gets fouled by Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum in the first half.

DARRON CUMMINGS | Associated Press

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INDIANAPOLIS — Troy Murphy and Danny Granger spent most of last night working to keep the Indiana Pacers close to the Los Angeles Lakers.

They spent those final few seconds like everyone else in Conseco Fieldhouse — watching, waiting and wondering if Murphy's tantalizing tip would actually drop through the net.

It did — just as the buzzer sounded.

Murphy's game-winner completed an improbable comeback and gave the Pacers a desperately needed 118-117 victory after replay reviews confirmed the basket was good.

"That's purely unbelievable," Granger said. "Troy is a monster on the boards. He gobbles up so many rebounds, and I'm glad he got it because I couldn't get to it."

The Lakers (14-2) entered with a seven-game winning streak, the league's best record and a 5-0 mark on the road. So when they closed the third quarter with a 17-0 run to take a 101-86 lead, it seemed as if the Lakers were destined for yet another rout.

Granger and Murphy changed those plans.

Granger, who scored 32 points, and Murphy, who had 16 points and 17 rebounds, methodically led their teammates back by making big baskets and getting the ball to open teammates. The Pacers (7-10) also allowed just 16 points over the final 12 minutes.

The combination, and Murphy's ability to get his hands on a batted ball, bailed them out.

"There was some luck involved, but that's the way basketball is if you don't take care of business," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "They got some energy going to the hoop and the right thing happened for them."

The Pacers had lost five of six, including their last two home games in overtime. They play six of their next seven on the road.

Wizards 108, Nets 88: Caron Butler had 22 points and 10 assists, and DeShawn Stevenson added 21 to lead Washington over New Jersey for its first road win of the season and their first win over an Eastern Conference opponent after going 0-11.

Trail Blazers 104, Knicks 97: Brandon Roy scored 23 points, and Joel Przybilla hit a short jumper for a 76-75 lead and visiting Portland never trailed again in beating New York for its fifth straight victory.

76ers 103, Bulls 95: Andre Miller scored nine of his season-high 28 points in overtime, Andre Iguodala finished with 25 points and Elton Brand had 22 points and 14 rebounds as visiting Philadelphia beat Chicago to end a four-game losing skid.

Nuggets 132, Raptors 93: Chauncey Billups had 24 points and 14 assists and Carmelo Anthony added 23 points as host Denver routed Toronto to improve to 12-3 since trading Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons for Billups.

Mavericks 100, Clippers 98: Jose Barea hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 50.2 seconds left to cap an 18-4 game-ending run, and Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 points as host Dallas rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat Los Angeles.

Pistons 89, Spurs 77: Rasheed Wallace made three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished 19 points to help visiting Detroit spoil the return of Manu Ginobili (missed 12 games with ankle injury) to San Antonio's starting lineup.

Jazz 99, Kings 94: Kyle Korver scored 15 points, Deron Williams had two key baskets in the final minute and visiting Utah made six free throws in the last 13 seconds to beat Sacramento.