First Thoughts: Pacers 95, Jazz 86
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Assistant Editor
First thoughts after the Indiana Pacers silenced the Utah Jazz 95-86 on Wednesday night at EnergySolutions Arena:
IN A NUTSHELL: Roy Hibbert and David West scored 19 of their combined 23 points in the second half, with seven in a row at one point as the Pacers pulled away for a harder-than-it-should-have-been triumph over Utah. Derrick Favors (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Enes Kanter (20 points, 10 rebounds) posted double-doubles for the Jazz, but Luis Scola chipped in 14 points and six rebounds off the bench in his best effort with Indiana. Paul George had a team-high 19 points with six rebounds despite a rough shooting night (7-of-20, 1-of-8 from 3) for the Pacers, while Lance Stephenson (15), West (10), Hibbert (13) and George Hill (10) joined him in double figures.
KEY SEQUENCE: After Mike Harris made a long jumper to bring the Jazz within 75-73 with 7:45 remaining, the Pacers scored on six of their next seven possessions to earn an eight-point lead with just 3:39 to play. A different Pacer accounted for each of the six scores. Scola calmy stroked his trademark jumper, George swiped the ball and dribbled down the floor for an uncontested dunk, and Stephenson, Hibbert, West and C.J. Watson also scored. Watson’s 3-pointer midway through the period was just Indiana’s second of the night.
BEST OF THE REST: The Jazz played without starting forward Marvin Williams (sore right heel) and reserve leaper Jeremy Evans (stomach flu). … Indiana improved to 15-0 when leading after three quarters. … The Pacers won in Utah for the first time since 2005. … The Pacers trailed at halftime for the 10th time in 19 games this season. … West had a season-high eight assists. … Utah fell to 4-16, the worst record in the Western Conference.
WHAT WE LEARNED: While the Pacers are winning at an incredible pace, they certainly made things harder than they needed to be in this one. There are plenty of positives, including Scola’s burst and Watson’s contributions, along with the late-game play of the big men. But Indiana still is getting by on talent at times and struggling to build consistency, as evidenced by the recurring halftime deficits. The Jazz were up 11 late in the second quarter before the Pacers railled to 48-47 at intermission. The Pacers, in the midst of playing five games in eight nights, will have days off Thursday and Friday before diving into another back-to-back that includes visits to San Antonio on Saturday night and Oklahoma City on Sunday.
