INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Ron Artest was booed loudly and shot poorly in his return
to Indiana as the Pacers beat the Sacramento Kings 98-93 in the NBA on Friday.
Artest was playing in Indianapolis for the first time since his trade request
was granted and he was sent to the Kings for Peja Stojakovic seven weeks ago.
Artest scored 18 points, but shot 6-for-22 from the field, including 2-for-14 in
the second half.
He was booed during pregame introductions and that continued every time he
touched the ball.
The fans reserved their loudest pregame cheers for Stojakovic, who scored 20
points to help the Pacers snap the Kings' five-game winning streak.
Danny Granger had a career-high 23 points and Jamaal Tinsley added 20 for
Indiana (33-30).
Mike Bibby led the Kings (33-32) with 22 points and Brad Miller, who also
played for the Pacers, added 17. Jazz 111, Hawks 101=
At Atlanta, Utah continued its mastery of Atlanta and stayed close in the
Western Conference playoff race.
Deron Williams scored 28 points and had two teammates score more than 20 as
Utah snapped a three-game losing streak and gave the Hawks their fourth straight
loss.
Williams made four 3-pointers and helped keep the Atlanta defense from
collapsing on Mehmet Okur, who had 24 points, and Carlos Boozer, who added 21.
The Jazz have won seven straight games over the Hawks, who were led by Joe
Johnson's 27 points. Mavericks 104, Wizards 94=
At Washington, Jason Terry and Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points apiece, and the
Dallas Mavericks pulled away in the second half.
Jerry Stackhouse, booed every time he touched the ball by Wizards fans
disenchanted with his two seasons in Washington, added 17 points off the bench
for the Mavericks, who won their third straight game.