|
|
Ron Artest had 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead Indiana to a 96-93 preseason win over Minnesota on Friday night.
Fred Jones hit two free throws and rebounded Troy Hudson's missed 3-pointer with time winding down to seal the win for the Pacers (3-2).
Reggie Miller added 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting for Indiana.
Gary Trent led the Timberwolves (2-3) with 23 points and seven rebounds and Kevin Garnett added 20 points and 12 rebounds.
After trailing for most of the game, the Timberwolves made it 69-68, early in the fourth quarter, but Artest responded with 10 points in a 12-0 Pacers run to push the lead to 81-68. Ticketmaster
Minnesota came
back, tying the game at 90 on a three-point play by Trent with 1:31 to go.
Jones then hit a jumper, the two free throws and grabbed the key rebound to
end the threat.
Both teams have been handcuffed by injuries all preseason and were without key players Friday night. Ticketmaster
The Pacers were missing Jermaine O'Neal (back), Al Harrington (shin), Kenny Anderson (hamstring), Austin Croshere (hamstring), Jonathan Bender (knee) and Anthony Johnson (finger).
The Timberwolves were without Wally Szczerbiak (plantar fascia), Latrell Sprewell (Achilles), Michael Olowokandi (knee) and Fred Hoiberg (heel).