Ford lifts Pacers past 76ers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - December 20, 2008 The Pacers (10-17) dressed just nine players. For the second straight game, Indiana was without starters Troy Murphy, Marquis Daniels and Danny Granger, out with viral infections. The Pacers also were missing Maceo Baston (lower-back strain).

Andre Iguodala had 26 points for Philadelphia (12-15) in its first loss in four games under new coach Tony DiLeo. Andre Miller had a triple-double for the Sixers with 14 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

Miller's two free throws with 2:59 left gave Philadelphia an 88-83 lead. But the Pacers scored eight of the next nine points, on Ford's free throws and Jeff Foster's three-point play, to take a 91-89 lead with 1:30 left.

After Philadelphia's Samuel Dalembert made one of two free throws, Jarrett Jack made a driving shot in the lane to give Indiana a 93-30 lead with 49 seconds left. Iguodala's layup with 41.1 seconds remaining pulled Philadelphia to 93-92 with 41.1 seconds left and the Sixers went ahead 94-93 on Lou Williams' fast-break dunk after Jack's turnover on Indiana's previous possession.

Ford's jump shot gave Indiana back the lead and Iguodala missed a driving, left-handed shot as time expired that would've given Philadelphia the victory.

Jack finished with 12 points and a season-high eight assists for Indiana, which got a season-high 12 points all in the first half from Travis Diener, 11 from Brandon Rush and a season-high 10 from Josh McRoberts.

Williams had 17 points, and Dalembert finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Sixers.

Notes: Sixers guard Willie Green sprained his left ankle while guarding Jack in the first half. X-rays were negative, but Green didn't return. ... Miller's triple-double was the eighth of his career. ... The Sixers will begin a string of six straight road games Tuesday night at Boston.

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