Artest, Pacers Stop Iverson, 76ers

Ron Artest keeps getting better and the Indiana Pacers keep winning.

Artest had 20 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, four steals and four blocks and the Pacers held Philadelphia star Allen Iverson in check on their way to beating the 76ers, 90-77, Friday night at Indianapolis.

“Ron Artest did a little of everything tonight,” Pacer Coach Rick Carlisle said. “The last two games he has been great, sensational.”

Jermaine O’Neal had 21 points, six rebounds and six blocks for the NBA-leading Pacers (14-2), who won their eighth game in a row, setting up a showdown against the Lakers on Sunday night at Staples Center.

Indiana put together another dominating defensive performance during a season full of them.

Iverson had a season-low 12 points -- making only four of 19 shots. He came into the game averaging a league-leading 28.1 points a game.

The rest of the 76ers shot 48% from the field, but the Pacers still held their opponent under 80 points for the ninth time in 10 games.

Golden State 92, Phoenix 83 -- Jason Richardson scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Warriors to their first road victory of the season.

The Warriors, who improved to 7-7 with their third straight victory, had been winless in four previous games away from Oakland.

The Suns had a 70-22 record against the Warriors at home, including 15 wins in the previous 16 games.

Boston 106, Milwaukee 96 -- Paul Pierce had 26 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double of the season to lead the Celtics at Boston.

No Boston opponent has scored 100 or more points this season, and Boston’s point total ended the longest season-opening streak of a team not being involved in a 100-point game in NBA history at 14.

Toronto 87, Orlando 86 -- The Raptors held off a fourth-quarter rally at Orlando to hand the Magic its 15th consecutive loss.

Toronto appeared to be in control when it led, 79-66, in the fourth quarter, but the Magic went on a 16-2 run and took an 82-81 lead on two free throws by Tracy McGrady with 59 seconds left.

After a basket by Toronto’s Alvin Williams, McGrady banked in a 17-footer to give Orlando an 84-83 lead with 27.3 seconds left. But Vince Carter put the Raptors ahead for good with a jump shot with 12.5 seconds left.

Detroit 92, Cleveland 88 -- Richard Hamilton scored a career-high 44 points -- including 12 in the final four minutes to clinch the win -- and LeBron James was held to a season-low six points on two-of-eight shooting in the Cavaliers’ 31st straight road loss.

Denver 113, Dallas 103 -- The Nuggets shot 52% for their sixth win in eight games and are off to their best start since 1994-95.

Rookie Carmelo Anthony had 26 points for Denver, which has won five straight at home and is 7-1 there for its best start since opening the 1989-90 season 9-0.

Minnesota 102, Memphis 98 -- The Grizzlies, who trailed by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, got within two, 85-83. on a three-point basket by Mike Miller with 4:51 left.

But the Timberwolves responded with a 7-0 run and were not seriously challenged the rest of the game -- their fifth straight victory over the Grizzlies in Memphis.

Sacramento 103, Houston 74 -- Brad Miller scored 29 points to help the Kings extend their winning streak to seven games. The Kings, 9-0 at home this season, have won 16 straight games at Arco Arena.

Utah 98, Seattle 81 -- Raja Bell, best known as a defensive specialist before signing with Utah as a free agent, scored a career-high 25 points to lead the Jazz at Salt Lake City.

Atlanta 95, Miami 83 -- Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 34 points, setting a season high for the second straight game, and the Hawks held off the Heat at Atlanta. He had 30 two nights earlier in a loss to the Raptors.

Portland 97, New Jersey 93 -- Damon Stoudamire scored 28 points on 12-of-17 shooting and Zach Randolph had 26 points and nine rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers at Portland.