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Pacers Blow Out Celtics 104-88 in Game 1

Posted on: Saturday, 17 April 2004, 06:00 CDT

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Pacers refused to let a big lead slip away this time. Jermaine O'Neal had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Ron Artest added 24 points and stellar defense on Paul Pierce to lead the Pacers to a 104-88 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their first-round series Saturday.

Last year, Pierce scored 21 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the opening-round series, allowing the Celtics to overcome a 16-point deficit to get the win on their way to eliminating Indiana in six games.

Not this time. Pierce scored 11 points in the first quarter, but Artest didn't let him get free for the rest of the game.

One of the favorites for defensive player of the year, Artest held Pierce to 1-for-10 shooting in the final three periods as the Pacers opened up a huge lead.

Pierce went 8-for-10 from the free throw line and finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Without Pierce, the Celtics were no match for the deep and talented Pacers.

Top-seeded Indiana blew the game open in the second quarter and led by as many as 31 points in an easy win.

It took a minor flare-up in the second quarter to get the Pacers going.

O'Neal scuffled with Celtics forward Brandon Hunter after Hunter pulled him down underneath the Pacers' basket.

O'Neal got up and jawed with Hunter and Ricky Davis, drawing a technical foul. The confrontation ignited the Pacers, who responded with a 14-3 run to take control.

Al Harrington scored four straight baskets in Indiana's decisive second quarter, a strong statement to those wondering about his playoff performance.

Harrington averaged just 3.0 points in last season's first-round loss to Boston, the Pacers third straight early exit in the playoffs.

He was sharp on Saturday, scoring 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds. Harrington was just as integral on the defensive end, where he had an emphatic block on a dunk attempt by Mark Blount.

The Celtics shot 55 percent in the first quarter to keep the game close at 30-29, but went just 3-for-19 (16 percent) and scored 14 points in the second quarter.

The Pacers outscored the Celtics 24-7 over the final eight minutes of the second quarter to take control.

Chucky Atkins scored 19 points for the Celtics and Davis added 19 points.

Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday at Indiana.

Notes:@ Pacers coach Rick Carlisle wore Pierce's No. 34 during his playing days with the Celtics. The self-deprecating coach joked, "I know now that there's a great chance my number will be retired." ... Atkins got a technical foul for arguing with officials in the second quarter. ... The Celtics are just 2-10 in playoff series when losing Game 1 of a best-of-seven on the road.

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