Pacers comeback attempt falls short this time
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — Exactly four weeks ago, the Pacers put together a huge comeback win over the Detroit Pistons at home. On Friday night, they almost did it again. Almost.
This time, the hole they dug themselves was a little too much to overcome. After cutting a 16-point deficit to two with under a minute to play, the Pistons were able to hold on by a final score of 104-98.
“I don’t know what’s up with us man, playing better coming from behind,” Myles Turner said. “But we can’t be that team down the stretch, always digging ourselves these holes. We can’t put ourselves in that position. I just like the fight and the grit that we have, and we’re going to have to continue that the rest of the season.”
Turner had a chance to give the Pacers the lead with a corner three, but left it short. “That’s one that hurts,” he said. “I live for that moment. I think I flicked it instead of following through. I don’t care about stats. If we don’t get the win, I’m not happy.”
Turner had 24 points and eight rebounds on the night. The Pacers were led by Victor Oladipo who had 26.
“We’ve gotta stay confident, stay positive, stay aggressive.” – @VicOladipo pic.twitter.com/kplXPD0knD
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 16, 2017
Two key story-lines in this game- the second-half, and the second-unit.
Indiana shot just 29.5% (13-of-44) in the second half- their lowest shooting percentage of any half this season. After finishing the second quarter on a 29-14 run, they got outscored 34-20 in the third.
As for the second-unit, the Pacers bench was outscored 43-22.
Pacers were minus-24 with Bogdanovic on the floor tonight. He's been solid this year, but games like tonight you say- Hurry back GR3.
— Tyler Smith (@TylerSmith_ISL) December 16, 2017
“That team played last night,” said Pacers Coach Nate McMillan. “At times it looked like we were the team that played last night.”
Despite losing back-to-back games, the Pacers still finished their long home-stand at 4-2.
“I feel good about it,” McMillan said. “Of course you’d like to win all six, but to get four of them, we’ll take that.”
“We’ve played some good teams at home during this stretch,” said Darren Collison. “Sometimes you can overlook the bigger picture, but we feel pretty good about going 4-2.”
The Pacers will hit the road for the first time in a while as they face the Nets in Brooklyn on Sunday night.
“We’ve got to go and get a win,” said Victor Oladipo. “They play well at home. We’re going to have to be ready, on both ends of the floor. We’re going to have to stay together and figure out a way to win.”
