Another Victor-y for the Pacers
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — It looked like it was going to be one of those nights. The Pacers were getting worked in every aspect of the game against the Chicago Bulls of all teams. And then, Victor Oladipo happened.
After trailing 83-69 heading to the fourth quarter, Oladipo led another inspired Pacers comeback victory, including the game-winning three with 30.1 seconds left on the clock. It was the Pacers first lead of the entire game, and it sent Bankers Life Fieldhouse into a frenzy.
Oladipo scored 27 points on the night, including 11 in the final quarter.
“He feels comfortable in that situation,” said Pacers Coach Nate McMillan. “That’s a huge shot. I want the ball in his hands. The team wants the ball in his hands.”
Victor Oladipo- "It's an honor to play for these fans." pic.twitter.com/vvSxHDV3wk
— Tyler Smith (@TylerSmith_ISL) December 7, 2017
Oladipo has played like an All-Star and has led the Pacers to a 14-11 start. To say he’s comfortable in Indy would be a massive understatement.
“It’s an honor to play in front of the Indiana Pacer fans,” Oladipo said. “It was a great win for us, and we just got to build on it.”
The Pacers trailed by 17 points in the second quarter and couldn’t string together any stops until late in the game.
“It happens, man,” Oladipo said. “I don’t know how to explain it. In the course of a year, 82 games, you’re bound to have a slow start like that. But you’ve got to realize the great teams respond no matter what situation is going on. It took us to the fourth quarter to do it, but we did it.”
Teammate Myles Turner added: “I don’t think we took it lightly, but we just weren’t as sharp as we’ve been. We just dug in and got the job done.”
Turner didn’t have the best shooting night (4-of-11) but contributed seven rebounds, six assists, and four huge blocked shots. There were so many plays that had to go the Pacers way to pull off the comeback.
All five Pacer starters scored in double-figures- something that has been a normal occurrence of late. Bojan Bogdanovich scored 17 points, including seven in the fourth.
“Tonight was about growth,” said Nate McMillan. “They stuck together. They believed the entire time they were going to get it right and win this game. It took us all 48 minutes to get control.”
Indiana has started their six-game home-stand with two wins and will square off against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Cleveland has won 13 straight games. Bankers Life Fieldhouse will be packed for what should be a great night of basketball. LeBron James had lots of great battles with Paul George in this building. But now, it’s Vic’s city.
This @VicOladipo sequence gave us the lead for good.#PacersWin pic.twitter.com/xVDl9q9Awn
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 7, 2017
