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Wednesday, Dec. 15 7:00pm ET
Croshere scores career-high 21 points | |||||
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 GAME FLOW
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Austin Croshere's tendency to shoot 3-pointers may cause his coach to cringe, but for now it's working. Croshere scored a career-high 21 points Wednesday night as the Indiana Pacers rolled to a 102-91 win over Chicago. His previous best came the day before, when he scored 18 points in a 105-97 loss at Toronto. Croshere, who came off the bench to hit 6-of-10 from the field and 8-of-10 free throws for Indiana, said he knows coach Larry Bird thinks he takes too many long-distance shots. "He gets on me for hanging out there (the three-point line) a little too much on the break," said the 6-foot-10 Croshere. "I usually have guys guarding me down low, so I get open more out there. I don't think it's a bad idea; I'm just doing it too much." Bird agreed, saying, "He played well. He still likes that three-point line a little bit much for me." Rick Smits added 19 points, Reggie Miller 18 and Jalen Rose 13 points for the Pacers, who have won eight of their last nine. Dedric Willoughby led Chicago with a career-best 21 points. Elton Brand and Corey Benjamin added 16 each. The Bulls have lost all 12 road games this season. "I wouldn't say it's a pattern," Benjamin said. "It's just in some areas, we're just slipping on during the game. While we made turnovers, they were scoring." Indiana built its lead on strong play at both ends of the first quarter. The Pacers scored the first seven points of the game, including two baskets for Smits. Croshere, Rose and Miller hit consecutive three-pointers in the last minute of the period to push the lead to 34-22. The Pacers hit 58 percent (14-of-24) from the floor, including 4-of-6 three-pointers, in the opening quarter. The Bulls took advantage of Indiana's cold shooting in the third quarter (6-of-18) to trim a 17-point halftime deficit to 82-71 but could come no closer.
Game notes | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Chicago Clubhouse Indiana Clubhouse RECAPS Utah 96 Boston 86
Indiana 102
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