INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A big game from Troy Murphy helped Indiana open a sizeable lead Wednesday and the Pacers fought off a comeback bid to down Charlotte 101-98.
Indiana led by as many as 18 early in the third period but the Bobcats cut it to three in the closing moments and got a break when Dahntay Jones missed two free throws with 2 seconds to play.
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Charlotte, however, could not get off a 3-point attempt before the buzzer and wound up wasting a 29-point effort from Gerald Wallace.
Murphy scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. He made 10-of-13 shots from the field and hit five 3-pointers.
Mike Dunleavy and T.J. Ford both had 15 for Indiana, which made half of its 24 3-point tries.
Stephen Jackson added 22 for Charlotte.
