NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Ron Artest's tough defense on Jamal Mashburn set up Reggie Miller's clutch three-pointer with 1:07 remaining Tuesday night as the Indiana Pacers pulled out an 89-86 victory over the New Orleans Hornets.
Artest has developed a reputation for being one of the NBA's best defenders. Mashburn scored 24 points, three above his average. But with Artest on him most of the night, he made just eight of 23 shots and missed a pair of jumpers could have given the Hornets momentum.
Mashburn's first miss was a jumper that would have cut the deficit to 84-82 with 1:24 remaining. Instead, Jermaine O'Neal grabbed the rebound, and Miller hit an open three-pointer over Stacey Augmon.
After Miller's three-pointer, Mashburn made a pair of three-pointers to get New Orleans within 87-86. But Artest smothered Mashburn as he took a jumper that was short, giving the Pacers the win.
Miller scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half, Brad Miller added 20 points and O'Neal chipped in 14 for the Pacers (23-8), who took a half game lead over New Jersey for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
