Pacers top Bulls with huge fourth quarter
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — The Chicago Bulls are always a good test for a hot team, with or without injured players. The Pacers passed that test thanks to a huge fourth quarter, on way to a 98-84 victory Friday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers have now won four straight games for the first time this season, and have won 10 of their last 12 games overall.
With the game tied at 66 heading to the fourth quarter, it was the Pacers bench who did most of the damage in the final frame. Ian Mahinmi impacted the game on both ends of the court, contributing a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulls fouled Mahinmi several times when trailing late, and Mahinmi knocked down three of his last four attempts in that stretch.
“He was very active on the offensive glass,” Coach Frank Vogel said. “He was also really strong on the defensive end. It was a really strong performance and I’m proud of him.”
Vogel also had high praise for Mahinmi’s work ethic: “He cares more than anybody. When you have a guy who puts the work in and cares, he’s going to have success.”
“I’m feeling good and we’re playing great,” Mahinmi said after the win. “We have a great sense of urgency right now. We’re working hard to get back to the defensive team we were last year.”
Despite the impressive numbers on the night, Mahinmi was just pleased with the win: “My whole career has never been about the stat sheet. I just want to win and help the team.”
The Pacers had six players in double-figures on the night and were led by Solomon Hill with 16 points. His mid-season shooting slump seems like a distant memory. “That slump seems like a year ago,” Vogel said. “He’s playing terrific right now.”
The Pacers had 23 assists on 34 made shots in the game, as they continue to share the ball well during this hot streak. Rodney Stuckey and George Hill had off-shooting nights (8-of-22 combined), and the Pacers still managed to score 98 points.
“We’re showing some really positive signs,” Vogel said. “We’re going to continue to work our tails off on the defensive end. We’re very confident that we can achieve some great things down the stretch.”
The Pacers keep winning while Paul George keeps healing. Maybe Vogel is on to something.
Follow Tyler on Twitter: @TylerSmith_ISL
