Pacers' Artest breaks television camera after loss

NEW YORK (AP) -- On a night when Latrell Sprewell had the

breakout game his coach had been waiting for, Ron Artest took out

his frustration by grabbing a $100,000 television camera and

smashing it to pieces.

Artest's post-game tantrum deflected some of the attention from

the star of the game, Sprewell, who had 25 points with seven

assists, five rebounds and three steals Friday night to lead New

York to a come-from-behind 98-96 victory over Indiana.

"Tough loss, I guess," said MSG Network cameraman Mike Miner,

who was filming Artest in the tunnel leading from the court when he

stormed off. After grabbing a television monitor and throwing it,

Artest approached Miner and yanked the high-definition camera away

from him.

"He lifted it over his shoulder and smashed it to the ground,"

Miner said. "I was a little rattled by the whole thing, but I'm

OK."

Officials with the cable network said the camera's lens alone

was worth about $60,000.

Artest stormed out of the arena just a few minutes later and did

not comment. Before the game, he said he was so focused on winning

the game that he turned down all ticket requests from friends and

family in his native New York.

"Obviously, Ron is an emotional guy and hopefully he'll learn

from it," teammate Jermaine O'Neal said. "I'm pretty sure the

bill will help him learn from his mistake."

Sprewell, coming off a three-point performance in a victory over

Toronto, played one of his best all-around games of the season to

help the Knicks match their longest winning streak of the season --

three games.

New York came back from two 17-point deficits and outscored

Indiana 30-17 in the fourth quarter to snap the Pacers' four-game

winning streak.

Howard Eisley scored 17 points and Charlie Ward had a key steal

and tip-in in the final minute for the Knicks.

O'Neal had 24 points and Brad Miller added 20 for the Pacers.

New York trailed 79-68 entering the fourth quarter, but Sprewell

sparked them on a 17-4 run to start the quarter. His 15-footer with

6:26 remaining gave the Knicks their first lead since the opening

minute of the game.

"Every game I'm waiting for the breakout game," coach Don

Chaney said of Sprewell, who entered the game averaging a

career-low 15.2 points on 39.7 shooting.

Sprewell finished 9-for-23 from the field and was the only

Knicks starter who did not commit a turnover.

"I looked at Spree and for the first time he had life in him,"

Chaney said. "He had that energy that was missing, that

explosiveness."

O'Neal made two free throws with 1:43 left to give Indiana a

92-91 lead before Michael Doleac hit a jumper with 1:22 remaining.

Miller had a tip-in with one minute left to give the Pacers their

final lead.

After Shandon Anderson missed inside, Ward came up with the

game-deciding play. Jamaal Tinsley drove to the basket and threw an

ill-advised blind pass behind him toward the foul line, and Ward

picked it off. He drove downcourt and missed a layup, but hung

around the basket and tipped the ball in after Anderson missed a

tip attempt.

Reggie Miller, Artest and O'Neal missed shots on Indiana's next

possession before Sprewell grabbed his final rebound. He was fouled

and made both shots for a 97-94 lead.

New York fouled Brad Miller on the ensuing inbounds pass to

prevent the Pacers from trying a 3-pointer, and he made both with

4.6 seconds left. Kurt Thomas missed one of two from the line with

4.0 seconds left, giving Indiana a chance to go for the win or the

tie.

With no timeouts remaining, the Pacers could only manage to get

the ball to the wrong Miller -- Brad -- for a buzzer-beating

3-pointer that missed.

Game notes

Indiana lost for the first time in 18 games when taking a

lead into the fourth quarter. ... Chaney said he was considering

moving Doleac into the starting lineup. Coming off two strong

games, Doleac finished with 12 points and five rebounds in 32

minutes. ... Ward played in his 500th game. ... Tinsley had seven

turnovers, eight assists and seven rebounds. ... Allan Houston has

made 37 consecutive free throws, four shy of the franchise record

set last season by Sprewell.