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The Sports Network TSN
(Sports Network) - The Indiana Pacers had their season-high four-game winning
streak cut short the last time out and tonight they'll try and start a new run
with the Utah Jazz in town.
Indiana dropped an 85-81 decision versus the Orlando Magic at home on
Saturday, as Danny Granger scored 19 points and Tyler Hansbrough had 17 in a
losing effort. The Pacers shot a season-worst 34.1 percent.
"It was a tough loss for us after a real strong week," Pacers coach Frank
Vogel said. "We really never got into a rhythm offensively."
Tempers flared in the third quarter after Magic forward Quentin Richardson was
ejected following an altercation, which was started when he and Granger came
together in front of the Orlando bench. Richardson shoved Granger and other
players got involved while some, including Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, tried
to separate them. No punches were thrown, but Richardson received two
technical fouls and was ejected. Granger, Hansbrough and Orlando's Earl Clark
also received technical fouls in the fracas.
The Pacers, who have yet to lose back-to-back games this season, are 6-2 at
home and will hit the road for two games against the Hawks and Grizzlies
following Tuesday's game. They will try to get to the 90-point mark tonight
and are 15-0 when doing so this season.
After playing just seven of the first 22 games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the
Pacers will play eight of their remaining 12 games at home this month.
Utah is in the midst of playing five of six games away from Salt Lake City and
dropped a 99-88 decision in New York last night. The Knicks were without Amare
Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony went down with an injury, and still managed to
send the Jazz to their third loss in four games.
Al Jefferson paced the Jazz with 22 points, while Raja Bell and Gordon Hayward
scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, for Utah, which has lost three in a row
as the guest and is 2-6 away from home this season. Paul Millsap posted nine
points and grabbed 13 rebounds in defeat.
"It doesn't matter who we're playing or where we're playing at, we have to
come out with a certain kind of attitude right from the beginning," Jazz head
coach Tyrone Corbin said. "We have to play at a high level, especially on the
defensive side of the floor, on the road for any chance to be successful and
we didn't demonstrate that tonight."
The Jazz will return home following tonight's game to face Oklahoma City, but
are scheduled to hit the road again for three straight games against the
Grizzlies, Hornets and Thunder.
Utah won both meetings with Indiana a season ago and has won six of seven and
eight of the previous 10 meetings between the teams. Utah is 38-35 all-time
against the Pacers with a 25-12 record at home and a 13-23 mark on the road.
The Sports Network