Lakers 97, Pacers 94

By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The streaking Los Angeles Lakers are starting to play like a defending three-time champion rather than a team struggling to make the playoffs. Indiana was the latest team to see the improvement.

Kobe Bryant scored 35 points, Shaquille O'Neal fought off foul trouble for 19 points and 12 rebounds and Devean George hit a key 3-pointer as the Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers 97-94 Tuesday night.

The Pacers have the best record in the East (34-15), while the Lakers (23-23) are at .500 for the first time since Nov. 3. Still, Indiana interim coach Brendan Malone, subbing for the suspended Isiah Thomas, sounded like the Pacers were lucky just to have the game decided on the last shot.

``It showed the character of the team that we hung in there,'' Malone said. ``They're going to get on a roll. This is the best team in the Western Conference. We showed we can compete with them.''

The Lakers have won 12 of 16 and four straight, with three of those on the road. They are only 2{ games behind Houston for the eighth seed in the West. Los Angeles needs to beat New York on Thursday to avoid a sub-.500 record at the All-Star break for the first time since 1993-94.

``We want to win the next game in New York,'' Bryant said. ``We want to go into the All-Star break one game over .500, not one below.''

Bryant again carried the Lakers. For the fourth straight game, he scored over 30 points. He had 20 by the half and kept his hands on the ball instead of the Pacers.

It was the first game between the teams since Reggie Miller and Bryant fought after a Los Angeles win last March at the Staples Center. Bryant threw a punch at Miller and the two landed on the scorers' table near the Pacers' bench.

Miller couldn't stop Bryant in the first half, so the Pacers switched to Al Harrington in the second. It made little difference.

Bryant gave the Lakers the lead for good late in the third with two free throws and a driving layup. The Lakers pushed the lead to 94-85 with 2:14 left in the fourth after Robert Horry's two free throws.

The Pacers, who fell to 22-3 at home, had one last rally. Jermaine O'Neal, Erick Strickland and Harrington followed with baskets to make it 94-91 with 55 seconds left.

Then, as so often happens for the Lakers, a role player came through with a big shot. This time it was George who drilled a 3-pointer for a six-point cushion.

It was huge. Indiana's Brad Miller hit a 3 with 31 seconds left to make it 97-94.

Bryant misfired on a jumper and Harrington grabbed the rebound. He paused as if he were going to call a timeout, then passed to Reggie Miller, who missed a 35-footer as time expired.

``I had visions of Reggie knocking in that 3 at the end just to spite,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. ``They kept coming back in the fourth quarter.''

Jermaine O'Neal had 23 points and 20 rebounds for Indiana. Harrington scored 22, Strickland had 18 points, Reggie Miller 14 and Brad Miller had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Bryant got the Lakers rolling early, but the Pacers were able to lead 48-46 at the half. Then, Shaquille O'Neal ran into foul trouble in the third. He picked up his third and fourth fouls in the opening minutes of the half and sat out the final seven minutes of the third quarter.

The Pacers led by two when Shaq left, but shot only 23 percent in the third and quickly fell behind. The Lakers went ahead for good, 72-70, following two free throws by Bryant. He added a driving layup to end the third.

Reggie Miller scored eight points in the fourth, but it wasn't enough.< ^Notes:@ The Pacers played for the final time without Thomas (two games) and Ron Artest (four games), who were suspended by the NBA. ... Jermaine O'Neal's 20 rebounds were the most by a Pacer at Conseco Fieldhouse. He has nine straight double-doubles. ... Reggie Miller missed a free throw, ending his streak at 30 straight.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)