Pacers drop to 8th-seed after another close loss
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — Close losses have been the story for the Indiana Pacers this season. Jimmy Butler has been a main contributor in three of them. Butler scored the game-winning shot with 3.7 seconds left, as the Chicago Bulls snapped a four-game losing streak and defeated the Pacers 98-96 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Bulls were only (5-10) on the second night of a back-to-back coming into this game and the Pacers blew an opportunity to put them away in the playoff race.
“Too many lost possessions on the offensive end,” Coach Frank Vogel said. “We settled for too many perimeter shots the entire fourth quarter, and we just didn’t make shots.”
Both teams only combined for 26 total points in the final 12 minutes. After Jimmy’s (bucket), the Pacers had another chance, but C.J. Miles 3-pointer missed and the Pacers were handed yet another close loss.
“Frustration is at its peak,” Paul George said. “We got stagnant and needed to get better looks.” George led the Pacers with 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals. But Jimmy Butler got the best of him for the third time this season. The other two times were on the defensive end, late in both games that were played in Chicago. “They executed down the stretch,” he said. “I tip my hat to the Bulls.”
Ian Mahinmi had another solid game, scoring 18 points to go along with seven rebounds.
For Chicago, Nikola Mirotic scored 28 points and made 7-of-13 from long distance. He scored 20 of those points in the first half.
The Pacers are now (9-9) this season in games decided by three points or less. They have played in more one-possession games than any other team in the NBA, while their nine losses is tied with Orlando for the second-most in the league.
With the loss and the Detroit Pistons victory over the Thunder, the Pacers dropped to the No. 8-seed in the Eastern Conference, with eight games to play. The Pacers own the tie-breaker over the Pistons, but do not own the tie-breaker over the Bulls, who are now just two games behind Indiana in the standings. The Pacers will be back in action on Thursday night at home against the Orlando Magic.
