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Dunleavy leads Pacers over Hornets

Oct 11, 2007 - 1:47 AM INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Even with Jermaine O'Neal on the sidelines, the Indiana Pacers were able to give new coach Jim O'Brien a victory in his debut.

Mike Dunleavy scored 15 of his 20 points in the first quarter as the Pacers posted a 101-96 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in Indiana's preseason opener on Wednesday.

Jeff Foster added 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Pacers, who hired O'Brien after suffering their worst record since the 1988-89 season under former coach Rick Carlisle last campaign.

A six-time All-Star, O'Neal had been the subject of trade rumors during the offseason and did not play as he recovers from surgery on his left knee.

Indiana, which led by 20 points at halftime, saw its lead decrease to four with 8:08 to play, but answered with a 9-1 run to push its advantage to 91-79 with 5:09 left in the game.

David West scored 17 points and Hilton Armstrong added 16 for New Orleans, which won their preseason opener over Houston on Tuesday.

Hornets first-round pick Julian Wright had eight points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in 26 minutes.