Granger’s 32 lift Pacers past Thunder
March 21, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Danny Granger(notes) scored 32 points to help the Indiana Pacersbeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-101 Sunday.
Troy Murphy(notes) had 22 points and 13 rebounds and Roy Hibbert(notes) had 20 points andeight rebounds for the Pacers, who have won three of four.
Indiana shot 52 percent in the game. Oklahoma City, one of the league’s bestdefensive teams, allowed its highest point total of the season.
Jeff Green(notes) led Oklahoma City with 20 points. Kevin Durant(notes), the league’s No.2 scorer, finished with 16 points on 4 for 16 shooting.
The Thunder had won six of seven. It was the second time in less that a weekthat a hot team lost at Conseco Fieldhouse. Charlotte took a 6-game win streakto Indiana before losing 99-94 on Tuesday.
Indiana shot 55 percent in the first half to lead 59-48 at the break.
The Pacers stretched their lead quickly in the second half. A three-pointplay, then a 3-pointer by Murphy gave Indiana a 69-53 lead early in the thirdquarter. Another three by Murphy made it 74-53.
In an example of the Thunder’s futility, Indiana’s offense was out of syncwhen there was a scramble for the ball under the basket. The ball was saved, andGranger ended up with it with 3 seconds left on the shot clock. Granger faked,then drew a foul from Thabo Sefolosha(notes) as the shot clock expired. Granger madeboth free throws to give the Pacers a 78-55 lead.
Indiana shot 53 percent in the third quarter and led 93-74 at the end of theperiod.
Oklahoma City never led.
NOTES: Oklahoma City G James Harden(notes) missed his fifth straight game with aright hamstring strain. … Indiana G T.J. Ford(notes) sat out for the fifth straightgame with a strained left groin. … Twice in the first quarter, Granger stolethe ball from Durant, then scored a layup at the other end. … Indiana shot56.5 percent in the first quarter to lead 32-25. … Oklahoma City’s RussellWestbrook(notes) was called for a technical foul for comments he made while heading tothe bench late in the third quarter. … Former Indiana University player D.J.White(notes) entered the game in the fourth quarter to a loud ovation.