Artest recovers from his sickness

Mark Montieth of the Indianapolis Star reports that Ron Artest has recovered from the stomach ailment that caused him to leave Friday’s Chicago game. He returned to play a controlled and complete game against the Hawks.

Even though he wasn’t feeling 100 percent, he scored 24 points with 8 rebounds, four assists and just one turnover in 37 minutes. "I had to focus," he said. "I wasn't out of control. I was doing whatever it took to win."

Artest began feeling ill on Friday. He started that night’s game against the Bulls but had to leave the game as his stomach pains increased. After the game he went directly from the fieldhouse to an area hospital, where he underwent tests and received intravenous fluids. He left the hospital at 5 a.m., went home and climbed into bed.

He thought about going to Chicago for Saturday’s game, but didn’t feel well enough to make the trip.

Artest said tests revealed nothing serious. But no matter how well he plays while sick, he doesn't want to make a habit of it. "I don't want to feel like that ever again," he said.

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Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls

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Rose sets new United Center record

Facing his old team for the second night in a row, ex-Pacer Jalen Rose again started the game poorly. After scoring only two points in the first half of Friday night's loss in Indiana Rose was so annoyed at himself that he threw away his uniform - shoes included - and prepared for last night's rematch.

Imagine how Rose felt when he again when he came out poorly. Rose started the game in Indiana by missing his first eight shots, and things didn't get much better in Chicago where he missed his first seven shots and ended the first half with only one point, half his offensive output of the Indiana game in the same time frame. Rose didn't hit his first field goal until five minutes into the second half and went into the three quarter time with three points. Then it happened.

"One guy grabbed me by the neck, another guy kicked me in the butt, another guy grabbed me in a headlock," Rose said. "And they said it was my time to step up and lead."

And Rose did, scoring 25 points in the fourth quarter alone to set a new United Center record. More importantly Rose's efforts got some revenge against the Pacers, the Bulls taking the game 110-103. Indiana were without starters Jermaine O'Neal (knee) and ex-Bulls Ron Artest, who did not travel with the team due to a stomach ailment.

"That's pretty good," said Rose when told about the record. "Especially when No. 23 played here."

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O'Neal out of lineup tonight against Bulls

Mark Monteith of the Indianapolis star reports that Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal received some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that he’ll miss tonight’s game against the Bulls with an injured knee. The Good news is that it’s a mild sprain and he will be listed as "day-to-day" after the game.

O’Neal bumped knees with teammate Brad Miller in Monday’s loss to the Rockets. It was feared that the injury was serious. He had to be helped off the court and team officials predicted a two week rest period for the power forward.

Tests on Thursday revealed that the injury was a mild to moderate sprain of the left knee and will allow O’Neal to return quickly.

O'Neal leads the Pacers in scoring (20.4), rebounding (10.3) and blocked shots (1.7). Of the 10 games he missed last season, the Pacers were 2-8.

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