INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Ron Artest had 20 points, eight steals and eight rebounds and Jeff Foster added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers. Indiana outrebounded Dallas 29-16 in the second half and kept its composure while the Mavericks came unglued to improve to 3-0 in games without Jermaine O'Neal.

O'Neal, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, expects to miss at least two games with a bruised knee. ThePacers (52-19) have the NBA's best record.

Dallas was missing a star of its own. Michael Finley, the team's second-leading scorer, did not dress because of a strained right calf.

Officials issued nine technical fouls in the game and ejected Dallas center Scott Williams in the third quarter.

Rockets 90, Raptors 89 (OT)

HOUSTON (AP) Yao Ming scored 27 points and had 17 rebounds. Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley each had 17 points as Houston won its fifth straight from Toronto.

Toronto, which has played more overtimes and won more than any team in the league this season, slipped to 6-4 in overtimes when Donyell Marshall missed a driving layup at the buzzer. Vince Carter scored 26 points and Jalen Rose had 20 for the Raptors, who have won only once in nine games in Houston.

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