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Granger and Pacers snap Charlotte's streak

Tue 16th, March 2010

Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - Danny Granger put in a game-high 26 points and secured eight rebounds, as Indiana logged a 99-94 win over Charlotte to halt the Bobcats' win streak at six games.

Troy Murphy recorded 16 points and 13 boards, while Mike Dunleavy scored 15 for the Pacers, who had dropped six of their last seven games.

"Good win against a good basketball team," Pacers head coach Jim O'Brien said. We didn't execute down the stretch against pressure...but we'll take the W."

Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw notched 20 points each for Charlotte, which had matched a franchise high for consecutive wins with its sixth in a row in Sunday's big 96-89 road win over the Magic.

Stephen Graham dropped in a career-high 19 points, and Tyrus Thomas added 14.

Bobcats star Gerald Wallace missed a second straight game with an ankle injury.

The visiting Bobcats had a 24-20 edge after 12 minutes of play but fell behind by nine at halftime, 52-43, after being outscored 32-19 in the second quarter.

"We had a horrible second quarter...that just kind of set the tone. We got beat on the offensive boards early, we didn't move the ball and we didn't recognize when guys were open," said Bobcats coach Larry Brown.

Indiana was up 10 after Murphy hit a jump shot with 7:45 to go in the third, and the Pacers rattled off a 7-0 spurt moments later to take a 70-55 lead on Murphy's layup.

The Pacers entered the final period holding a 78-67 advantage, and Granger stroked a three to start the fourth. The margin grew to 15 on Dunleavy's three approaching seven minutes to play.

Granger knocked down three-pointers on consecutive Pacer touches with 3:15 left to keep the lead at 97-85.

Charlotte had a last-ditch effort fall short in the waning moments, having rallied back to within three on a 9-0 run in the final minute. Graham's three- point play made it 97-94 with 56.3 seconds remaining, but A.J. Price made two at the line, and missed threes by Graham and Jackson sealed it.

Game Notes

With Charlotte's loss, Orlando clinched a berth into the 2010 NBA Playoffs. It marks the fourth consecutive trip to the postseason and the 12th playoff appearance all-time for the Magic...Granger took a shot to the upper cheek area going up for a rebound in the closing minute and was seen extremely woozy on the Pacers bench. Coach O'Brien said after the game he would be evaluated but will be held out of the lineup Wednesday versus Cleveland...The Bobcats fell to 10-24 as the visitor this season...The Pacers improved to 15-16 as the host this season...The Bobcats have dropped eight of 11 trips to Indy...Price had 11 points for Indiana, while Raymond Felton scored seven and dished six assists for Charlotte.