Pacers dominate Bulls, improve to 3-3
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — That’s more like it.
It took six games into the season, but the Indiana Pacers finally showed what they are capable of. They dominated the Chicago Bulls from start to finish on Saturday night, winning by a final score of 111-94 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. They improved to 3-0 at home on the season, but the other home wins were nothing like this game.
This was the Jeff Teague the Pacers envisioned. He had 21 points and six assists.
This was the production off the bench the Pacers envisioned. C.J. Miles and Aaron Brooks combined for 30 points.
This was the offense the Pacers envisioned. The Pacers had 27 assists and six players in double-figures.
And this was also the defense the Pacers envisioned. They held the Bulls to 43% shooting, and forced 16 turnovers.
Granted, the Bulls were playing their second game in as many nights, but all teams have to do that throughout the season.
This game was never in doubt. If the Bulls were ever going to make a run, it would’ve come after Paul George got ejected from the game for kicking the ball with 1:42 left in the 3rd quarter. The Pacers ended that quarter on a 7-3 run, and pushed their lead to 24 after three.
The ejection was the only negative on a night full of positives.
“I apologized to the fan,” George said. “I’m sure I’ll get fined.”
Coach Nate McMillan added: “Emotions took over in that situation. He knows that’s something he can’t do. Throwing or kicking the ball is an automatic ejection.”
Jeff Teague led the Pacers with 21 points. Despite a slow start to the season, the Pacers know better days are ahead for their point guard. “That’s the Jeff we thought we were getting” said Coach McMillan.
Monta Ellis only took two shot attempts, but contributed eight assists and seven rebounds on the night. He now has 18 assists in his last two games.
“We owed them one from the other night in Chicago,” Ellis said. “We’ve just got to share and move the ball, and we did that tonight.”
C.J. Miles scored 20 off the bench and connected on 4-of-7 from behind the arc.
Myles Turner scored 16, Thad Young added 12, and Paul George finished the night with 13 before getting tossed.
Coach McMillan believes it could be the start of where the Pacers want to be.
“Big step tonight,” he said. “This is what we feel we can do on the floor. It’s going to be a process, but this is the type of game we want to build on. Let’s see if we can take the offensive and defensive execution on the road and build off this game.”
The Pacers will seek their first road win on Monday in Charlotte.
