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The Lakers' 99-93 victory Friday over the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse featured all the elements that make teamwork tick. Dwight Howard overcame early foul trouble en route to 20 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. Metta World Peace both scored (19 points) and defended, holding David West to 4-of-13 shooting. Reserves Antawn Jamison (18 points) and Steve Blake (17 points) made big shot after big shot. Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni called it "a big win for us." Others took it a step further. "It was our best win of the season," World Peace said. Los Angeles Daily News

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard, Steve Blake, Antawn Jamison, David West, Metta World Peace 

Indiana's David West, who becomes free agent in summer, says Pacers tops on list of where wants to play next season “Oh yeah,’’ West said in an interview with FOX Sports Florida. “For what I want to do in terms of this point in my career, I want to win and Indiana is going to give me an opportunity to win and compete. And I enjoy being around this group of guys.’’ Sulia

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, David West 

Warriors guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and Pacers swingman Lance Stephenson were fined $35,000 for "escalating the altercation." Indiana forward David West, also involved and received a technical, went unpenalized. San Jose Mercury-News

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Stephen Curry, David West, Klay Thompson 

Scott Agness: Vogel said David West, who missed the Pacers' final 3 shots in regulation, basically played the second half with one eye. Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Injuries, David West 

Scott Agness: To those asking -- Vogel said he considered keeping West out, but "if a guy like that wants to play, you let him play." Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Injuries, David West 

Scott Agness: David West on this rescheduled game, giving them 3 in a row: "We don't know what we did to piss somebody off, but we have to deal with it." Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, David West 

And if there was any doubt they wanted to keep him, or any doubt he wanted to stay in Indiana, there would be ample discussion over whether they should trade him at the Feb. 21 deadline and try to get something in return before he flies the coop. There won’t be any of that discussion. None. “We want David West,” team President Donnie Walsh was saying the other day in a little anteroom at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. (It used to be Walsh’s smoking room, but, to his great credit, he quit smoking.) “He’s a big part of what we’re doing here.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Trade, David West 

All things being equal, West wants to stay in Indiana. It has been the perfect locker-room fit for a grown-up man among younger souls. “Sure, I’d like to stay and continue to make this my home,” said West, who had a team-high 14 points and five blocked shots Monday in an 82-81 victory at Memphis. “I think this situation is best suited for what I can provide at this stage in my career. The biggest thing is to have a good, smart, high-character locker room. I think you’re rolling the dice when you’re looking at unfamiliar environments. This has been exactly what I needed and what I wanted. “I’ve never been motivated by those kinds of things (money). If the cards are right and I do what I’m supposed to do, it will work out for the best.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, David West 

Indiana forward David West is another unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Interestingly, the Pacers seem to have no interest in moving him and aren't really taking any calls. Sources say that's because the Pacers feel they have a pretty good shot at retaining West (much like they did when they matched Portland's offer for Roy Hibbert). FOXSportsOhio

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, David West 

David West is an unrestricted free agent after this season. Here's what he said about his upcoming free agency: "I never let that creep into my mind," West said of his upcoming free agency. "If I go out and just play these games night in and night out, try my best to contribute to this group, compete and try to get a win every night, everything else will take care of itself. I learned a long time ago that if the team wins then everyone wins individually. That's the mindset that I've always had. It's worked up to this point." Sulia

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, David West 

However, George Hill scored 19 points, D.J. Augustin had a season high-tying 18 and Indiana rallied to beat the Bobcats 96-88 Saturday night for its fourth straight win. Lance Stephenson added 17 points and David West had 14 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists for his first triple-double. "That was a really good win," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "A lot of guys stepped up, in particular David West with a triple-double." Charlotte Observer

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, George Hill, David West, Frank Vogel 

West watched the NBA drafts in the years before he would be eligible and knew his playing style was different from his immediate predecessors at the position. He didn't play above the rim and he wasn't the quickest player on the court. West didn't have to figure out his "flaws." NBA teams told him prior to the 2003 draft that he'd a marginal player in the league because he didn't fit the prototype of a modern NBA power forward. "I never let any of that get to me, it just motivated me," said West, who has been surpassed at the position only by Stoudemire. "If you look around, most of those guys who could just fly out the roof dunking the ball are no longer in the league." USA Today

Indiana Pacers, David West 

West could easily stick his nose in the air and ask all his doubters, "How do you like me now?" But that's not his style. "That's just never a part of me," West said as he shrugged his shoulders. "That's never appealed to me. I always felt like you just go out and play the game." Center Roy Hibbert is the Pacers' highest paid player. Danny Granger is the longest tenured. George Hill is the hometown favorite. Paul George has the most potential. West, simply put, is the backbone of the team. He's been the Pacers' most consistent player this season, averaging 17.6 points and 8.3 rebounds a game. "He just knows how to play the game," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. USA Today

Indiana Pacers, David West 

"One thing about D West is that he's one of the smartest players I've ever had," said Cleveland coach Byron Scott, who coached West in New Orleans. "His basketball IQ is off the charts. He knows how to get where he wants. His basketball skills are some of the best in the league for a big man. "It's just that nothing he does is real flashy. That's why he doesn't get all the attention that he probably deserves. That's just David, he's got an old-school type game, it's just very effective." USA Today

Indiana Pacers, David West 

West didn't have to figure out his "flaws." NBA teams told him prior to the 2003 draft that he'd a marginal player in the league because he didn't fit the prototype of a modern NBA power forward. "I never let any of that get to me, it just motivated me," said West, who has been surpassed at the position only by Stoudemire. "If you look around, most of those guys who could just fly out the roof dunking the ball are no longer in the league." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, David West 

"I never really depended on my ability to out-jump, out-quick guys," West said. "My athleticism isn't the best part of my game. It's always been my smarts. That's really been the foundation for me and I worked everything else around that." Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, David West 

Forward David West made back-to-back jumpers to help the Pacers hold on and the Wizards had to once again discuss coming up short in a game that they could’ve won if not for a poor execution down the stretch and an even poorer start. “Always the same story,” Kevin Seraphin said after scoring 13 points off the bench. “We have to fight all the game to come back. But that’s difficult. We play some good teams. This is the NBA. That’s a league with no mercy. If you don’t start right, you already lost the game.” Washington Post

Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, Kevin Seraphin, David West 

“I’m just trying to have a productive year,” West said regarding his goal headed into free agency. “I don’t really base my play on what’s out there looming. I just try to go out do my job and stay focused on the moment and what we have to do to right now.” HoopsWorld

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, David West 

“It’s one of those situations,” West said when asked if he wanted to remain in Indiana long term. “My main objective is to try to win [here]. I feel like this group has an opportunity to do that. Obviously with Danny [Granger] out it changes and makes things a little more difficult for us this year, but again we feel like with the group that we have and with Danny at full strength we can compete.” HoopsWorld

Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, David West 

Losing Granger, a former All-Star, will cause the Pacers to adjust their style of play, but veteran forward David West says finding out the length of time he’ll be out of action actually allows the team to focus in harder on winning games. “Obviously you lose a guy like Danny who gives you 18-20 points a game it’s a huge blow,” West told HOOPSWORLD. “But we’ve got to be professional about it. We can focus on the guys we have now. There’s no more speculation on whether or not he will be back soon. “We were kind of on the fence of whether or not he’d be able to get back soon or not. But now that we know he’s not going to be around for a few months we’ve got to make some adjustments. Other guys have to step up. But we’ve got to continue our approach. We’ve been doing this thing collectively. We feel confident about the guys we have here.” HoopsWorld

Indiana Pacers, Danny Granger, David West