Temper, temper

Artest commits another flagrant foul in loss to Sixers

Allen Iverson made 16 of his 19 free-throw attempts. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The losing continues for the Indiana Pacers, who are about to play another game without Ron Artest.

For the second time in less than a week, Artest will be suspended for a flagrant foul. This one came when he tackled Eric Snow in the fourth quarter of a 96-93 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Artest, who also missed the team's loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, left the locker room before the media was allowed in after the game.

Pacers coach Isiah Thomas defended his player.

"There's definitely concern because we've lost a lot of close games because of perceived flagrant fouls or perceived technical fouls," Thomas said. "Somehow we've gained a reputation."

But there was little defense for the latest flagrant foul.

Snow grabbed a rebound and sent the outlet pass. After he released the ball, he was pulled down by a charging Artest on the baseline.

Snow and the Sixers bench erupted before referee Ken Mauer called a level one flagrant. If the call is upheld, Artest will draw a one-game suspension and will miss Friday night's home game against Utah.

Thomas pins the blame for the close officiating on Dallas Mavericks' coach Don Nelson.

According to Thomas, Nelson has been publicly critical of what he perceives as rough play by the Pacers, who have lost six in a row and 12 of 13.

"I have to give Don Nelson a lot of credit, he really put it to us," said Thomas. "I think our games are definitely officiated differently now. Nellie, you're the best."

Allen Iverson had 31 points, shooting 16-of-19 from the foul line, and Keith Van Horn scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half as the Sixers came back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter.

The Sixers improved to 12-2 since the All-Star break.

"I never felt we were out of this game," said Van Horn. "We stepped up our defense in the fourth quarter and that gave us some easy baskets in transition. When you do that, the rim looks wider."

Iverson was unavailable after the game after needing two stitches in his lower lip. He was struck while defending Reggie Miller's potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Eric Snow and Aaron McKie each had 12 points and Derrick Coleman grabbed 14 rebounds for Philadelphia.

Artest had 25 points, Jermaine O'Neal had 18 points and 10 rebounds while Al Harrington added 16 points for Indiana.

After the Pacers scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to go ahead 72-62, Philadelphia scored 15 of the next 19 -- with Iverson's fast-break layup giving the 76ers a 77-76 advantage with 7:55 to go.

After Jamaal Tinsley sank a jumper, the Sixers scored seven straight, including four free throws by Snow -- two of which came after he was flagrantly fouled by Artest.

The Sixers lead would hit 11, 91-80, as the run reached 23-4. Indiana scored 13 of the next 18, though, and two free throws by Jeff Foster made it 96-93 with 34 seconds left.

Indiana led by as many as 10 in the first quarter and held a nine-point advantage late in the second. The Sixers scored the last four points of the half to make it 44-39 at the break.

Notes: Miller left the game briefly with a right thigh contusion after colliding with Brian Skinner while trying to run through a pick. He returned in the third quarter. ... The Pacers also lost Jonathan Bender in the first half with a lower left leg contusion. He did not return. ... Sixers coach Larry Brown exchanged jerseys with the Harlem Globetrotters in a pregame ceremony. Brown and the Globetrotters were both inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this summer.

 

Related information

Stories

Brown, Iverson fined for criticizing officials

Stats

Pacers-Sixers Box Score

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video