Pacers skid continues with another close loss
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — After a long stretch of road games, the Pacers were hoping to use some home-cooking to get back on the right track. The Los Angeles Clippers had other plans, as they handed the Pacers yet another close and frustrating loss, 91-89 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
It was the seventh time this season the Pacers lost by one possession or less, which leads the entire NBA.
“It comes down to execution,” Paul George said after the loss. “We’ve just got to do a better job.” When asked about the frustration level, George didn’t hold back: “It’s at peak level. We’re about as frustrated as we can get
Things looked good early for the Pacers, as they took a 51-46 lead into halftime. Cold shooting in the second half changed their fortune. They only made 8-of-22 shots in the third quarter, and went scoreless for over five minutes to start the fourth quarter.
Strong defense still gave them a chance to win in the closing seconds. After a Paul George three and a late turnover by the Clippers, the Pacers had a chance to tie or win with 2.7 seconds left. As has been the case for most of this season, they weren’t able to get a good look from the in-bounds play as the Clippers held on.
It was the first time all season the Pacers lost when holding an opponent under 95 points (17-1).
If you want to look at the bright side, (and Coach Vogel often does), the defense made a step forward.
“There was improvement on the defensive end,” Vogel said. “That’s the path back to winning games.”
Vogel added: “Our players are frustrated, there’s no doubt about that. But I do think we’re on our way back. We’re making moves to stabilize what we do on the defensive end. We gave up 14 points in the paint. That wins the game for you on nine out of 10 nights.”
Paul George had a big offensive night, scoring 31 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Rookie Myles Turner continued to play well, scoring 16 points. He has now scored in double-figures in six consecutive games.
The Pacers are now just one game over .500 on the season (23-22) and will look to right the ship soon before their hopes of a high playoff seed slip away.
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