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Granger's buzzer-beater lifts Pacers over Suns

Thu 8th, January 2009

Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Danny Granger nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Indiana Pacers to a 113-110 win over the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center.

Granger connected on five shots from beyond the arc and finished with a game- high 37 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals for the Pacers, who have won three of their last four games. Mike Dunleavy, who missed the first 34 games of the season with a right knee injury, chipped in 14 points off the bench.

Stephen Graham and Troy Murphy scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, for Indiana.

"He (Granger) was spectacular tonight and a great team win for us," said Pacers head coach Jim O'Brien. "I thought our defense in the second half was outstanding. It's great to win at the buzzer."

Amare Stoudemire totaled 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Suns, who had a three-game win streak snapped. A flu-bitten Steve Nash gutted it out to score 16 points and dish out 12 assists, while Grant Hill and Leandro Barbosa both poured in 18 points.

Dunleavy's driving bank shot made it 108-105 in favor of Indiana, but Barbosa followed up a resounding slam by Stoudemire with a three-pointer from the left corner, giving Phoenix a two-point lead with 45.4 seconds remaining.

After Granger hit a jumper to tie the game, Stoudemire and Jason Richardson each missed a shot at the other end. Jeff Foster grabbed the defensive rebound and immediately called timeout with 0.9 left on the clock. Granger then accepted the inbounds pass and sank the game-winning shot from the top of the arc.

"We just didn't do a good job communicating in that situation," said Suns head coach Terry Porter on the game's final shot. "With 0.9 seconds, Granger made a heck of a shot."

The Pacers controlled the opening 12 minutes and carried a 28-21 advantage into the second quarter.

Granger knocked down a trey and Jarrett Jack hit consecutive shots to put Indiana up 42-27 just over three minutes into the frame, but Phoenix battled back and trailed 61-57 at halftime.

After Richardson hit a layup to begin the third quarter, Indiana went on a 15-4 run, and led 86-70 following back-to-back three-pointers by Dunleavy and Murphy with about 5 1/2 minutes remaining.

Richardson capped the scoring in the frame by draining a shot from beyond the arc with three seconds left, and Phoenix headed to the fourth quarter down nine at 95-86.

Game Notes

Phoenix center Shaquille O'Neal missed the game with a back injury...Richardson had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the loss for the Suns...Indiana snapped a seven-game skid against Phoenix.