INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Ron Artest had 30 points, six rebounds and two assists Friday night to lead Indiana past the New Jersey Nets, 102-90.
Artest has had a monster start this season following a lengthy suspension last season for his part for the highly publicized, benches-clearing brawl last November against Detroit.
Jermaine O'Neal added 20 points and seven boards. Another principle in the incident, Stephen Jackson, also had a good outing for the Pacers (4-1) with 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The Pacers did not have to stage a late rally, as they did in their last two games, when they had to overcome big deficits against Philadelphia in a 111-109 loss, and Miami in a 95-90 victory.
The Nets (3-3) -- who trailed, 53-41 at halftime and were out-scored 35-20 in the third period -- had four players in double digits, but their leading scorer, Vince Carter, had only 18.
