Jalen Rose scored a career-high 43 points and the Indiana Pacers led by as many as 17 points in the first half Tuesday.

But one half does not an NBA game make, as the Pacers were painfully reminded when a second-half meltdown led to a 103-97 defeat to the New Jersey Nets in the season opener at Continental Airlines Arena.

"It's hard to celebrate success when you've lost the war," said Rose, whose 16-footer with 4:29 left enabled him to top his previous high of 42 points set against the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 20, 2000. "I'd much rather walk through the shower and have guys slapping me on the back in the locker room after a win."

Instead, teammates almost whispered their praise of Rose in a locker-room scene that resembled a wake.