Sixers Remain Winless With Loss to Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Danny Granger scored 22 points and the Indiana Pacers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 99-86 in their home opener on Saturday night.
Mike Dunleavy scored 16, Darren Collison had 15 points and Roy Hibbert added 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Pacers (2-1). It was Collison's first regular-season home game since Indiana acquired him in an offseason trade.
Lou Williams scored all 18 of his points in the first half for the Sixers, who have lost their first three games under new coach Doug Collins. Elton Brand had 12 points and 10 rebounds but shot 5-for-16 from the field.
The Pacers opened the third quarter with a 13-2 run to take a 64-53 lead, highlighted by a reverse layup and three-point play by Granger. The Pacers held the 76ers to 1-for-8 shooting during that stretch.
Collison provided the play of the game in the third period when he stepped into the passing lane near midcourt to start a fast break. Williams moved in to challenge, but Collison dunked on him to give the Pacers a 68-56 lead. The fans roared in approval, and Collison put his hand up to his ear to urge them on.
Indiana remained comfortably ahead while continuing to give the crowd plenty to cheer about. T.J. Ford found Josh McRoberts cutting to the basket, and the forward cocked the ball behind his head, took off from the edge of the paint and dunked on rookie Evan Turner to give the Pacers a 76-64 lead.
Philadelphia led 36-23 early in the second quarter, but the Pacers rallied and went ahead late in the first half. Thaddeus Young made a 3-pointer with 22 seconds left to give the 76ers the lead, and T.J. Ford responded a 10-footer with 0.3 seconds left that tied it at 51 heading into the break.
Indiana grabbed the momentum by stepping up on defense. The Pacers held the Sixers to 35 points in the second half.
Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday finished with 12 points apiece for the Sixers.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
