Pacers Are Effective Even Without Artest

Jermaine O’Neal had 22 points and eight rebounds to help the Indiana Pacers hold off the Minnesota Timberwolves, 102-101, on Tuesday night at Minneapolis.

Minnesota missed two late chances to win. Kevin Garnett’s turnaround jumper fell short with five seconds left, but the Timberwolves retained possession after the ball went out of bounds. Latrell Sprewell couldn’t convert his 23-footer from the wing as the buzzer sounded.

Pacer guard Ron Artest was benched because he did something Monday that “compromised the integrity of the team,” according to Coach Rick Carlisle, who also called it a “private team matter.” Artest won’t play tonight against the Clippers.

Stephen Jackson had 21 points and six rebounds for Indiana, which owned a 47-30 rebounding advantage and went 21 for 23 at the free-throw line. Minnesota, which got 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists from Garnett, made 20 of 28 foul shots.

Miami 103, Washington 93 -- Shaquille O’Neal has the Heat off to its best start ever after scoring 20 points, grabbing nine rebounds and blocking three shots at Miami. The Heat is 4-0 for the first time in club history.

Seattle 108, Denver 88 -- Ray Allen scored 30 points at Denver to help the SuperSonics prolong the early-season misery for the Nuggets. Rashard Lewis scored 27 points and Seattle improved to a surprising 3-1. Denver fell to 1-4.

New York 96, Philadelphia 88 -- Jamal Crawford scored 22 points, Stephon Marbury had 13 points and 12 assists and Nazr Mohammed scored 18 at New York to help the Knicks get their first victory of the season. Former UCLA forward Trevor Ariza had 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Orlando 94, Dallas 84 -- Grant Hill scored 17 points and had nine rebounds to lead the Magic at Orlando, Fla. The Mavericks lost shooting guard Michael Finley to a sprained ankle in the third quarter.

Houston 90, Memphis 87 -- Tracy McGrady left in the third quarter with a hip injury, and the Rockets hung on at Houston. McGrady strained his right hip and said he wasn’t sure if he would be able to play Thursday against Minnesota.

Cleveland 93, Atlanta 79 -- LeBron James scored 25 points, equaling the Hawks’ entire output in the second half, to lead the Cavaliers at Atlanta. Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 27 points to help Cleveland win for the first time this season.

Phoenix 94, Chicago 74 -- Amare Stoudemire had 26 points and 15 rebounds as the Suns improved to 4-0 with a victory at Chicago.

Sacramento 108, Toronto 92 -- Chris Webber had 21 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists at Sacramento in the Kings’ first victory of the season. Webber earned his 18th career triple-double.

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The NBA suspended Milwaukee Buck forward Marcus Fizer for one game after his guilty plea on a gun charge.... Ben Wallace is expected to miss at least two road games for the Detroit Pistons because of the death of his brother in Alabama.... Point guard Brevin Knight will sit out the Charlotte Bobcats’ game at Milwaukee tonight because of a sprained left wrist.