Pacers snap four-game losing streak
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sporst and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — There’s no place like home.
After a frustrating four-game losing streak, including a close loss in Chicago on Monday, the Pacers took care of business on Friday night, defeating the Chicago Bulls 111-101 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The one constant in an inconsistent season has been winning games at home. With this win, the Pacers improved to 12-5 on their home court. They’ve already finished their season series with the Bulls, and you guessed it- they lost both road games, and won both games at home.
Jeff Teague shot just 2-of-13 for the game, but still might have been the MVP of the night. He dished out 17 assists, which was a new career-high. He matched the entire Bulls team in assists on the night.
“We played as a team and moved the ball really well,” Teague said. “Guys were getting open and were just knocking down shots. We’ve got to continue to play like we did tonight.”
“There’s nobody that can stay in front of Jeff,” said his teammate Paul George. “He’s got that speed and the ability to attack. We’re even better when he’s kicking it out and the defense has to collapse on him.”
This game also featured the Paul George Indiana needs more often. He played under control in the first half, letting the game come to him. Then, when the game was tied 95-95 late in the fourth quarter, George took over. He scored the next seven Pacer points, and scored 11 total 4th-quarter points, making the game’s biggest shots. He led all scorers with 32 on the night.
Every Pacers starter contributed in the win. Thad Young scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, Myles Turner added 15 to go along with four blocks, and Glenn Robinson III had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
“Everybody contributed tonight,” Coach Nate McMillan said. “I loved our motor. The energy was great both ways. That’s fun.”
McMillan won’t commit to GR3 as the starter, but he will have to give it some real thought after a performance like that. The Pacers were a plus+23 with GR3 on the court in this game.
The Pacers never trailed in this game, but nearly lost the lead in the fourth quarter. “I’m sure in their huddles they were talking about chipping away,” Paul George said. “That gets exhausting. When you finally catch up, you feel relieved. It was nice for us to get off to a fast start to force them to do that. We’ve got to do that more often.”
The Pacers will now take tomorrow off before hosting Frank Vogel and the Orlando Magic on Sunday night.
Quick Hits:
-The Pacers improved to 13-5 on the season when committing fewer turnovers than their opponents.
-Myles Turner has recorded at least one blocked shot in 22 straight games, the longest active streak in the NBA.
-Jamaal Tinsley was the last Pacer to record as many as 17 assists in a game, when he recorded 19 in 2002.
