Easy-Going Pacers Stop McGrady, Magic

Taking things one game at a time has worked so well for the Indiana Pacers that they’re off to the best start in franchise history after nine consecutive victories.

“I haven’t mentioned it one time. I just want to win every basketball game we play,” Coach Isiah Thomas said Friday night as the Pacers beat Orlando, 106-70, at Indianapolis to improve to an Eastern Conference-leading 10-1.

Ron Artest had 15 points and held NBA scoring leader Tracy McGrady 20 points under his average as Indiana bettered the 9-1 start by the 1969-70 Pacers in the old American Basketball Assn.

McGrady, who came in with a 33.2 average after scoring at least 30 in a team-record seven straight games, had eight points in the first half and finished with 13 on six-for-19 shooting with five turnovers.

Boston 105, Atlanta 98 -- Paul Pierce scored 36 points, including four straight in the second overtime at Boston to give the Celtics the lead for good.

The teams went into the second overtime tied at 94-94 after Pierce was unable to convert on a drive to the basket with one second left in the first overtime. Tony Battie gave the Celtics a 96-94 lead, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim tied the score before Pierce made consecutive shots to put the Celtics up for good.

Houston 93, Washington 86 -- Yao Ming scored 18 points and blocked three shots in his first NBA start, and substitute starter Juaquin Hawkins, a former Long Beach State standout, led a third-quarter spurt.

Hawkins, starting for injured guard Cuttino Mobley, had consecutive three-point baskets to end the quarter as Houston took a 75-61 lead into the fourth.

New Orleans 105, New York 97 -- Jamal Mashburn scored 25 points and Jamaal Magloire and P.J. Brown each scored 20 and the Hornets remained unbeaten at home with an overtime win.

Brown had 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season, and Magloire grabbed 11 for his second double-double in two games.

Sacramento 118, Phoenix 101 -- Bobby Jackson scored 24 points to lead six players in double figures as the Kings won their fourth in a row and improved to 7-0 at home. Stephon Marbury scored 39 points for Phoenix, including six three-pointers.

Milwaukee 95, Golden State 91 -- Ray Allen scored 31 points and made a key three-pointer down the stretch as the Bucks hung on to defeat the Warriors at Oakland. Erick Dampier had a career-high 31 points and 14 rebounds for Golden State.

New Jersey 120, Cleveland 79 -- Kenyon Martin had 21 points and 10 rebounds and the Nets made 14 of their first 15 shots to cruise at East Rutherford, N.J.

Detroit 75, Miami 72 -- Richard Hamilton scored 17 points and Ben Wallace had a season-high 22 rebounds at Miami as the Pistons beat the Heat for the second time in three nights.

Philadelphia 90, Toronto 80 -- Allen Iverson scored 31 points and Keith Van Horn had 13 points and 10 rebounds at Philadelphia as the 76ers won for the fifth time in six games, improving to 7-0 at home.

San Antonio 95, Memphis 86 -- Tim Duncan had 28 points and 15 rebounds at San Antonio as the Spurs beat the Grizzlies for the 21st straight time. Memphis is 0-13.