2-21 Indiana 136 Milwaukee 129

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Indiana 136 Milwaukee 129

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Jermaine O'Neal thinks his team should be among the contenders in the Eastern Conference. The All-Star forward gets his first chance to back up his claim as the Indiana Pacers host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

O'Neal, who had eight points and seven rebounds as the East was routed 153-132 by the West in Las Vegas on Sunday, leads a Pacers (28-24) team that is fourth in the Central Division but only five games behind front-running Detroit, which also leads the East.

The lack of a dominant team in the East has prompted O'Neal to believe there's no reason the Pacers can't make up that deficit.

NBA.com Bucks Hope to Snap Their Losing Streak; Visit Pacers

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INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 21 (AP) -- The Indiana Pacers are used to overcoming off-court distractions.

Despite the news that Marquis Daniels and Jamaal Tinsley had been charged for their roles in a Feb. 6 bar fight in Indianapolis, the Pacers managed to outlast the Milwaukee Bucks 136-129 in double overtime Wednesday night.

Daniels and Tinsley, who were expected to turn themselves into police on Thursday, both played key roles in the victory. Daniels had 22 points off the bench and Tinsley added 11 points and 11 assists.

"It's about basketball for us,'' said Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal, who finished with 29 points and 15 rebounds. "We stand behind our teammates.''

NBA.com O’Neal, Pacers Outlast Bucks in Double-OT