Pacers beat Bulls 89-84 to avoid elimination

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Danny Granger scored 24 points and the Indiana Pacers avoided elimination by holding off a furious rally to beat the Bulls 89-84 on Saturday afternoon for their first playoff win since 2006.

Carlos Boozer missed a 3-point attempt that could have tied the game with a second remaining.

Indiana never trailed and finally broke through after losing the first three games by a combined 15 points.

Chicago's fans traveled to Indiana by the thousands, planning to celebrate a first-round playoff victory at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The Pacers sent them home disappointed,

The Bulls still lead the series 3-1 and will have a chance to close it out at home Tuesday.

Bulls guard Derrick Rose, who averaged 32.7 points in the first three games, finished with 15 points and 10 assists. He sprained his left ankle late in the first quarter and scored eight points on 3-for-16 shooting the rest of the way.