Artest returns to inspire Pacers victory in L.A

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Ron Artest returned from injury to
score 22 points in leading the Indiana Pacers to a 97-82 road
victory over the high-flying Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

Artest suffered a bruised right wrist after a hard foul
from LeBron James in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on
Thursday, which caused him to miss Friday’s loss to Atlanta.

However, the small forward looked to be in fine form on
Sunday, going 8-for-19 from the field in 45 minutes as the
Pacers (8-4) handed the Clippers a second straight loss.

Los Angeles (9-4) has now lost consecutive games for the
first time this season after starting with a franchise-best 9-2
record. It was also the Clippers’ first loss at the Staples
Center this season.

Jermaine O’Neal added 16 points and 13 rebounds for
Indiana, which trailed 54-47 at the half before out-scoring the
Clippers 26-16 in the third quarter to take the lead for good.

Austin Croshere added 17 points and eight rebounds for the
Pacers, while Jamaal Tinsley had 15 points and eight assists.
Stephen Jackson also scored 15 points for the winners.

Elton Brand led the Clippers with 22 points and 10
rebounds, while Chris Kaman added 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Corey Maggette contributed 15 points for the Clippers, who
lost despite holding the Pacers to just 40 percent shooting
from the field.

In Atlanta, Darius Miles sank the winning basket with 1.3
seconds left and Zach Randolph scored 24 points and had 15
rebounds as the Portland Trailblazers beat the Hawks 77-75.

Miles scored 12 points for the Trail Blazers, who ended
Atlanta’s two-game winning streak.

Al Harrington scored 16 points and Zaza Pachulia scored 15
points and had 10 rebounds for the Hawks.