INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Austin Croshere and the Indiana Pacers turned a meaningless season finale into a comeback victory.
Croshere led a game-ending run that lifted the Pacers to a 101-96 triumph over the Chicago Bulls.
Indiana (61-21), which finished with the best record in the NBA, rested its regulars for long stretches as it prepares to face the eighth-seeded Boston Celtics in the first round.
"We're just concerned about the way we play," said Pacers All-Star forward Jermaine O'Neal, who collected 19 points and 13 rebounds. "If we play the way we're supposed to on both ends, then we can beat anybody."
Al Harrington, starting in place of All-Star Ron Artest, scored 22 points and was one of five Pacers in double figures.
Chicago (23-59) seemed poised to close its season with a win after Marcus Fizer's basket gave the Bulls a 92-83 lead with 7:48 remaining. Indiana stiffened and closed the game on an 18-4 run, including seven points from Croshere.
Fred Jones nailed a 3-pointer and Jonathan Bender converted a three-point play with 1:56 to play that gave Indiana a 97-96 lead with 1:56 to go. Chicago went scoreless over the final 2:52, surrendering the game's final 10 points.
Croshere, who netted 11 points, converted four foul shots in the final 18 seconds to seal the win. Bender finished with 10 points in 21 minutes.
"The group that finished the game did a great job," Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. "We're a team of components, each one important to the others. Bender's play was encouraging. He's an important guy in the rotation."
The Pacers may have a score to settle with Boston, who won last year's first-round matchup in six games. Indiana has lost in the first round each of the last three years.
"The key for us is just getting past the first round." O'Neal said. "We know it's going to be a tough series. We don't want to lose any games at home and we want to get this series over with as quickly as possible."
Jamal Crawford led Chicago with 31 points, but did not score in the fourth quarter. Fizer added 21 points and 16 rebounds for the Bulls, who concluded their sixth straight losing season.
"It was a disappointing season," Chicago coach Scott Skiles said. "The Bulls had high hopes and high expectations and we didn't come close to meeting them. It's our job to figure it out and make the necessary changes to make sure that it doesn't happen again."
