Pacers fall to Spurs- Popovich wins number 1,000
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — After their first three-game winning streak of the season, the Pacers had to go through the NBA Champion Spurs to continue their winning ways. The opportunity was there with a 14-point lead in the second half, but the machine from San Antonio got the job done late. They beat the Pacers 95-93 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It was the 1,000th career win for Spurs head coach Greg Popovich.
“Anytime you play hard and let it slip away like this at home, it’s tough” Pacers guard George Hill said.
His teammate C.J. Miles added: “That’s a good basketball team, and they made the big plays. We’ve got to stay confident and can’t let this one game stop us.”
The Spurs built a 44-34 lead with 5:26 to play in the second quarter before the Pacers really turned up the defense. Over the next 17 minutes, the Spurs only scored 21 points. During that drought, the Pacers took a 79-65 lead after three quarters and were in the drivers seat to get their fourth straight win. But did anyone really believe the Spurs would go away quietly?
The Spurs outscored the Pacers 30-14 in the final quarter. An offensive rebound put-back by Aron Baynes tied the game with 56 seconds to play. Another offensive rebound by the Spurs gave them a second opportunity to hit a go-ahead shot. Marco Belinelli did just that with 2.1 seconds left on the clock. George Hill was looking for his second game-winner in as many nights, but missed to give the Spurs the victory.
“Credit their bench for making a run in the fourth quarter,” Pacers Coach Frank Vogel said after the game. “We just had some unfortunate plays the last few minutes that went their way.”
The Pacers had six players in double-figures, led by Rodney Stuckey’s 18 points. David West scored 10 points, pulled down 18 rebounds, and dished out seven assists. The Spurs were led by Tony Parker with 19 points and six assists.
The Pacers will travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans on Wednesday. It will be their final game before the All-Star break.
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