With both teams missing their big men, the Indiana Pacers proved too strong for the visiting Los Angeles Lakers in a comfortable 85-72 victory Monday.

Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest (23) scores on Los Angeles Lakers forward Bryon Russell during the third quarter of NBA play at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, February 2, 2004. Russell was called for a foul on the play. [Reuters]

The Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal was sitting out a one-game suspension for comments made to the media in Toronto Sunday, disappointing the sellout crowd, who came hoping to catch a glimpse of the 7ft-1in center.

Jermaine O'Neal, the Pacers' leading scorer, was also sidelined, nursing a strained neck suffered against the Boston Celtics Saturday.

Ron Artest took on the mantle of leader for the Pacers, notching 24 points despite shooting just 9-of-27 while grabbing seven rebounds.

Al Harrington added 16 points and pulled down seven boards.

Veteran Reggie Miller added another seven points to go past the 24,000-mark for his career.

The game was half over before the Lakers found their scoring touch, as they notched a mere 26 first-half points, one more than a franchise low.

They shot 8-of-38 for the half, a mere 21 per cent, with nine-time All-Star Gary Payton making only one of his eight attempts to bring down the average.

Payton wound up with 10 points, next best to Ukrainian-born Stanislav Medvedenko, who finished with 14.

Already depleted by injury, the Lakers went much of the game without guard Kareem Rush, who limped off the court with a right ankle sprain.

The defeat came in the second of a seven-game road trip for the Lakers, who have a disappointing 10-14 record after starting the season 18-3.

In Miami, the Detroit Pistons chalked up their fourth straight victory with a 102-100 overtime win over the improving Miami Heat.

Tayshaun Prince led the Pistons with a career-high 24 points with Chauncey Billups adding 23.

Richard Hamilton scored 17 more, including the game-winning basket with 14 seconds remaining in the extra period.

Eddie Jones scored 19 points to pace the Heat, who had won five of their previous six games.

In Atlanta, Elton Brand poured in 22 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to carry the Los Angeles Clippers to a 101-95 win over the Hawks.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim paced Atlanta with 20 points and 10 boards.

It was the Clippers' sixth road win in 20 outings.

In Memphis, Pau Gasol and Lorenzen Wright each scored 18 points as the Grizzlies enjoyed a late flurry to down the Golden State Warriors 106-101.

Jason Richardson notched 19 points to lead the Warriors, who fell to 5-19 on the road.

In New Orleans, the New Jersey Nets swept their four-game road trip with an easy 91-70 victory over the Hornets.

Kerry Kittles paced the Nets with 16 points, while Jason Kidd added 14 points and dished out 12 assists.

Jamaal Magloire notched 22 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead New Orleans.

The Nets remain unbeaten under interim coach and former assistant Lawrence Frank.

In Denver, rookie of the year candidate Carmelo Anthony notched a career-high 39 points to carry the Nuggets to a lopsided 116-97 victory over the Trail Blazers, snapping Portland's four-game win streak.

Brazilian-born Nene Hilario added 20 points and Voshon Lenard got 13 more, with Zach Randolph pacing Portland with 28 points and 11 rebounds.

In Salt Lake City, two-time MVP Tim Duncan poured in 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a predictable 83-65 win over the Utah Jazz (news).

It was the Spurs' 16th straight victory over the Jazz, who were paced by Andrei Kirilenko's 10 points.

In Phoenix, Shawn Marion scored 31 points and Joe Johnson added 27 while dishing out 10 assists as the Phoenix Suns crushed the Houston Rockets 99-79 to snap a three-game losing skid.

The Rockets, who were without All-Star guard Steve Francis, suspended a game for missing a team flight, were paced by Yao Ming, who counted 16 points.

In Seattle, Ray Allen scored 27 points as the SuperSonics snapped a three-game losing streak with a 109-97 win over the Chicago Bulls, who were paced by Jamal Crawford's 31 points.

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