INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Jermaine O’Neal had 20 points and 14 rebounds, Stephen Jackson added 16 points and Jeff Foster gave Indiana a huge lift off the bench with nine points and 10 rebounds in an 80-66 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.

Jackson, coming off a season-high 30 points against Washington on Thursday night, played fewer than 10 minutes and had three fouls in the first half, when the Pacers took an early lead but didn’t take control for good until Foster entered the game.

Playing in just his fifth game and still getting back in shape after a long rehabilitation from a heel injury, Foster gave Indiana an immediate boost. A 3-pointer by Anthony Johnson and a layup by Foster put the Pacers up 10, then after the first of three 3-pointers by the Grizzlies’ Shane Battier, the Pacers closed the period with two free throws by Foster, a dunk by rookie Danny Granger off an assist by Foster and a rebound tip by Foster for a 24-9 lead.

Memphis, which shot 34 percent for the game, cut the lead to eight on consecutive 3-pointers by Battier and Mike Miller midway through the second quarter, but all seven Memphis points the rest of the period came on free throws.

Indiana’s biggest lead of the period was 39-22. Pao Gasol, who was 1-of-7 from the field in the first half, hit four straight free throws, but Indiana outscored the Grizzlies 4-1 from the foul line in the final minute and took a 43-27 lead at halftime.

Memphis twice came within nine, but Jackson and Johnson hit 3-pointers during a 10-0 run that broke the game open.

The Grizzlies closed to 63-52 early in the final period, but the Pacers pulled away again on a basket and free throw by Jackson and two straight baskets by O’Neal.

Battier led Memphis with 13 points and Gasol added 11.

Notes: The Grizzlies’ nine points in the first quarter and 27 in the first half were season lows for them and for any Indiana opponent. … Austin Croshere started for the Pacers after missing the first half of Thursday’s game, when he was stuck in a snowstorm and couldn’t get to the arena in time. He had seven points and 11 rebounds but left with a lower back strain in the second half. … Indiana has won 10 straight games at home against the Grizzlies. … Memphis, one of the worst foul-shooting teams in the league, made 11-of-20 against the Pacers. … Indiana’s Ron Artest didn’t play for the second straight game because of a sore wrist.

AP-ES-12-10-05 2219EST


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