Pacers Get a Scare but Maintain Streak

Indiana’s franchise-record home winning streak is 24 games thanks to a big advantage at the free-throw line.

The Pacers salvaged a 90-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Indianapolis Tuesday after overcoming an 18-point, first-quarter deficit with a huge advantage at the foul line.

Indiana made 23 of 32 free throws while Denver made six of eight.

Jalen Rose led the Pacers with 19 points.

Antonio McDyess had 23 points for Denver, which outrebounded Indiana, 60-43, with Keon Clark pulling down a career-high 22.

Washington 90, Minnesota 86--Tracy Murray scored 17 points and the Wizards used a 14-2 run at the start of the fourth period to win their second consecutive road game after losing 15 in a row through February.

New York 111, Vancouver 86--The Knicks never let up after a 13-0 start, and Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston each scored 22 points at New York. The Knicks shot a season-high 62%.

Chicago 89, Atlanta 82--Elton Brand scored 31 points as the Bulls ended an eight-game losing streak in a game at Chicago featuring the ejections of Bull Coach Tim Floyd and Atlanta forward Alan Henderson for arguing with referees, and six technical fouls.

Utah 113, Cleveland 95--Karl Malone scored 30 points and John Stockton tied a season high with 18 assists at Salt Lake City as the Jazz won its fifth straight.

Phoenix 108, Houston 101--Rodney Rogers scored six of his 15 points in the final two minutes to spark the Suns at Houston.

Seattle 101, Dallas 86--Ruben Patterson scored a season-high 32 points at Seattle and the SuperSonics overcame the ejection of Gary Payton for arguing with the referees late in the third quarter to beat the Mavericks for the eighth straight time.

Charlotte 102, Golden State 99--Derrick Coleman scored 16 of the Hornets’ final 22 points and finished with a game-high 34 in a victory at Oakland.

Around the League

Dallas Maverick forward Dennis Rodman was charged with misdemeanor drunk driving stemming from a December arrest in Costa Mesa. Police said Rodman, 38, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.15, nearly twice California’s legal limit, when he was pulled over Dec. 22. Arraignment is scheduled for April 3. . . . New Jersey center Jayson Williams proclaimed himself ready to play for the Nets 11 months after breaking his right leg and tearing up his knee in a game. The Nets, however, said he has not received medical clearance, though he is scheduled to undergo an exam today. . . . Chicago guard John Starks went home to Tulsa, Okla., to await a grievance arbitrator’s decision on his bid to forfeit the rest of his salary, leave the Bulls and join a playoff contender. . . . New York Knick Coach Jeff Van Gundy is unhappy with new NBA rules regarding the added use of cameras and microphones, saying, “It negatively impacts the coach because you now have to monitor what you say. It might not get on the air, but someone hears it in some truck and can repeat it. You now have to be very leery of what you say.” . . . Boston Celtic captain Antoine Walker settled a court case with a woman who claimed he failed to prevent three of his friends from raping her at his home Nov. 9, 1997. Terms were not disclosed.