Another comeback attempt falls short for the Pacers
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — The Sacramento Kings came into tonight’s game having lost eight straight contests. Right from the opening tip, they looked like a team on a mission to end that slump. They started on fire, and built a lead as high as 23 points at one point in the game. The Pacers turned up the defense in the 2nd half and cut the lead to four at one point, but the Kings still came out on top, 99-94 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Kings were led by the trio of Rudy Gay, Darren Collison, and DeMarcus Cousins. Those three combined to score 74 of the team’s 99 points. Cousins didn’t shoot well, but he also pulled down 19 rebounds.
After Sacramento built a 64-50 halftime lead, things really slowed down in the 2nd half. The Kings only scored 35 points in the final 48 minutes, but the Pacers couldn’t capitalize enough to get over the hump. They had several chances to make a big three and set the house on fire. Instead, they shot just 5-of-25 from three for the game.
“We’ve got to get George Hill and C.J. Miles’ legs under them,” Coach Frank Vogel said after the loss. “They’re two of our best shooters, and they shot 3-of-17 from three tonight. They’ve got to get their legs under them and get going for us.”
Vogel added: “Rudy Gay is just a great scorer. It’s one of those nights where you miss Paul George.”
Let’s be honest: Frank probably says that to himself before going to sleep every night, not just tonight.
Another storyline tonight was the excellent foul-shooting from both teams. The Kings made their first 23 attempts from the stripe, and finished 26-for-29. The Pacers made 23-of-25 themselves. At the end of the day, it was the slow start and the poor 3-point shooting that did the Pacers in.
David West and C.J. Miles each scored 17 points to lead the Pacers. George Hill had 14 and Luis Scola added 13.
Solomon Hill went scoreless and has been in a slump these past 10 games. He’s only averaging six points per game in that stretch, and has only shot over 45% one time in those games.
For the game, the Kings starters outscored the Pacers starters 88-38. You just don’t see numbers like that very often in the NBA. The Pacers fell to 9-13 on their home court this season.
Follow Tyler on Twitter: @TylerSmith_ISL
