The Pacers had a point to prove, so what better opportunity than on national TV?  Hey, it works for Jerry Springer!

Mark Montieth of the Indianapolis Star writes that the Pacers felt that they wanted to push the point across that they are for real and that they can beat any team.  They proved it last night by handing the Dallas Mavericks their first loss of the season, denying Dallas the opportunity becoming the third team in NBA history to start a season 15-0.  The Pacers now sit in second place in the NBA with a 12-2 record.

"There are only so many statement games throughout the year, and this was one of them," Reggie Miller said.  "Everybody contributed."

It certainly was a team effort for the Pacers, with different players dominating at different points in the game.  'Ron Artest scored the game's first 10 points. Al Harrington had 15 in the second quarter, when he solved the Mavericks' zone by getting into the foul lane. And Jermaine O'Neal scored 13 in the final period, capping off a second consecutive standout game,' writes Montieth.

"I wanted to win the game, not only for my team and the city but for my family," O'Neal said. "You can barely understand what she's saying because she's only 3. I'll try to get her to write more letters."