Pacers’ Sixth Man Is All They Have

Using a makeshift roster a night after brawling with fans, the Indiana Pacers pressed the Orlando Magic until the very end.

Limited to six players because of suspensions and injuries, the Pacers stayed close before dropping an 86-83 decision to Orlando on Saturday night.

“We had guys who had never played as a unit in an NBA game,” Indiana Coach Rick Carlisle said. “I’m disappointed. We went out there to win the game, even given these unusual circumstances.”

With leading scorers Ron Artest, Jermaine O’Neal and Stephen Jackson suspended indefinitely by the NBA earlier in the day following the fight in Detroit, the short-handed Pacers started a lineup of reserves and managed to stay with the Magic.

Grant Hill made four free throws in the final 12 seconds and finished with 28 points to lead Orlando.

“Coming off the events of last night right away instead of having a few days in between probably helped them,” Hill said. “I didn’t think it would be that close.

“We talked about the possibility of a letdown, but these guys are pros. Still, there’s a tendency to say these guys aren’t the star players, but we knew they would come out and play well.”

Fred Jones scored a career-high 31 points and rookie David Harrison added 19, also his best with the Pacers.

“We played a very inspired Indiana team,” Magic Coach Johnny Davis said. “They gave us all we could handle.

“We were preparing for the other group, so we had to make adjustments on the fly. The Indiana Pacers laid their hearts out there tonight. We were lucky to get out of here with a win.”

Jones was proud of the Pacers’ effort.

“I knew what I was getting into when the night started. There’s no back-down in this locker room,” he said.

Before Saturday’s game, the PA announcer reminded fans that anyone throwing objects or going onto the floor would be arrested. Fans responded with applause. As added security, the folding chairs on the players’ benches and in the first row surrounding the court were anchored with wire cables.

James Jones had career highs with 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers. Indiana rookie John Edwards played 15 minutes in a reserve role and had two points.

“On paper, this team should have won by a lot,” Orlando’s Steve Francis said. “But I don’t care what any player or fan says, the main thing is that Orlando won. In the NBA, winning is the most important thing.”