Nets hold off Pacers to climb back into 8th
The Brooklyn Nets boosted their postseason hopes while dealing one of their toughest competitors a crushing blow on Tuesday, holding off the Indiana Pacers, 110-106, at Barclays Center.
With the win, the Nets climbed back into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, moving a half-game ahead of the Boston Celtics while dropping the Pacers 1.5 games back.
In addition, Brooklyn clinched the three-game season series tiebreaker with Indiana.
Brook Lopez led the way for the Nets with 24 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, while Joe Johnson added 21 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Johnson also sunk the three-point dagger that put the game away for Brooklyn, extending the Nets' lead to eight with 15 seconds remaining.
Alan Anderson chipped in with 20 points of 7-of-11 shooting off the Nets' bench.
George Hill poured in a game-high 28 points for the Pacers, who lost starting shooting guard C.J. Miles to a sprained ankle in the first quarter.