The Herald Bulletin

Overnight Update

Pro Sports

Discussion

November 6, 2009

Hansbrough scores 13 in debut as Pacers win 102-86

By Cliff Brunt, The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Tyler Hansbrough scored 13 points in his pro debut to help the Indiana Pacers beat the Washington Wizards 102-86 on Friday night.

Hansbrough, the first-round draft pick from North Carolina, missed the preseason and the first four regular-season games with a right shin injury.

Danny Granger scored 22 points and T.J. Ford added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who raised a banner honoring late co-owner Mel Simon before the game. He died in September at age 82.

Caron Butler led the Wizards with 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Brendan Haywood had nine points and 19 rebounds. Gilbert Arenas, who had averaged 28 points, finished with 13 and took only 10 shots.

Hansbrough entered the game with 4:31 left in the first quarter to loud cheers. He missed a 15-foot jumper on his first shot, got the rebound, then got his next shot blocked by Andray Blatche. He scored his first bucket on layup with 11:44 left in the second quarter.

Washington rallied in the early minutes of the third quarter, but back-to-back threes by Granger and Earl Watson pushed Indiana's lead to 64-51 and forced the Wizards to call timeout.

Washington trimmed the lead to 66-58 before the Pacers' rookies entered the game and went to work. Hansbrough hit a layup and two free throws, and A.J. Price made back-to-back 3-pointers in a 10-0 run to stretch the lead to 76-58.

Hansbrough played 14 minutes and went 3 for 7 from the field and 7 for 10 from the foul line. He also had five rebounds.

It was a day filled with celebrations. Besides the rookie's debut and the banner-raising ceremony, it was the 10th anniversary of the opening of Conseco Fieldhouse. Simon cut the ribbon to open the building with his brother Herb on Nov. 6, 1999.

Mel Simon joins former players Reggie Miller, Mel Daniels, Roger Brown and George McGinnis, and ex-coach Bobby "Slick" Leonard as the only people with their names in the rafters. The Simons bought the franchise in 1983 and, in one 11-year stretch, the Pacers reached the Eastern Conference finals six times and the NBA finals once.

NOTES: Arenas became the 294th player to score 10,000 points. ... Indiana's Mike Dunleavy (knee), Troy Murphy (back), Travis Diener (toe on left foot) and Jeff Foster (sore lower back) also sat out. ... The Pacers beat Boston 115-108 to open Conseco Fieldhouse. Miller scored 29 points that night. ... Granger collected four steals in the first six minutes. ... Rik Smits, who played on the Pacers' 2000 Finals team, attended the game. ... Indiana G Brandon Rush sprained his right ankle and did not return.

Text Only
Pro Sports
  • b2.jpg Bellator hopes to push UFC

    Even novice mixed martial arts fans will recognize that the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the No. 1 MMA promotion in the United States and on the planet.
    What makes businesses better is when there is competition. In the case of MMA in North America, there have been contenders such as the International Fight League, BoDog Fights, Affliction and Elite XC since the explosion in popularity of MMA in 2005 with the introduction of the UFC’s reality show “The Ultimate Fighter.”

    February 13, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0214 spts Tiger.jpg Woods struggling to finish

    Phil Mickelson has beaten Tiger Woods the last five times they have played together in the final round.
    But never like this.
    This was a pounding at Pebble Beach. Mickelson shot a 64 on a day when no one else could do better than 67. Woods had a 75 on a day when only four players — none of whom were in contention — shot worse.

    February 13, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0213 Phil web'.jpg Mickelson crushes Tiger

    He knew his game was getting close, and he broke through with flair Sunday in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. That turned out to be Phil Mickelson, not Tiger Woods. In a big, big way.

    February 12, 2012 1 Photo

  • Hibbert.jpg Dirk, Pierce All-Stars; runs end for KG, Duncan

    Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce overcame slow starts to return to the All-Star game, but the lengthy runs of Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan are over.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Diaz.jpg UFC’s Nick Diaz fails drug test

    UFC welterweight Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana after his loss to Carlos Condit on Saturday night and faces disciplinary action, including a possible suspension and fine, the head of the Nevada Athletic Commission said Thursday.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • 0209 Pacers.jpg Atlanta snaps to life against Pacers

    Josh Smith is skeptical about his chances of making the All-Star Game for the first time.
    He sure played like he deserves to go.
    Smith scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in his final game before the All-Star reserves are announced, leading the Hawks to a 97-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers that snapped Atlanta’s three-game home losing streak Wednesday night.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Brady.jpg Patriots’ mistakes prove costly

    It’s going to be an offseason of what-ifs for the New England Patriots, who lost to the Giants 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • e665d357b99b6403060f6a70670008f1.jpg Quarterback cements his Eli(te) status

    Early this season, Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning made headlines for mentioning that he considered himself among the game’s best quarterbacks. There is no debate anymore. Manning was brilliant in the Giants’ 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots and was named the game's MVP for the second time.

    February 6, 2012 2 Photos

  • Todd Golden: Little brother takes over Peyton’s place

    New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning made sure Colts fans could remember the Super Bowl with a spring in their step. On the same field where older brother Peyton has cemented his Hall of Fame legacy, Eli put down a foundation stone of his own.

    February 6, 2012

  • spt_elimanningmvp.jpg Manning leads Giants to fourth title

    Eli Manning completed 30-of-40 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown in rallying the New York Giants to a 21-17 win over New England in Super Bowl XLVI Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo 1 Slideshow