Pacers close 2019 in style
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers closed out 2019 with an absolute bang, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 115-97 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. After a slim 29-27 lead to end the first quarter, the Pacers went on a 24-5 run over the next seven minutes, and they never took their foot off the gas.
Where to begin with the good performances to discuss? T.J. Warren made his first nine shots and finished the game with 21 points. Domantas Sabonis had another double-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and added five assists. T.J. McConnell ignited the second quarter run and had a double-double himself. He finished with 11 points and 10 assists against his former team.
“He’s an injection,” said Pacers Coach Nate McMillan. “You put him out there and he just changes the tempo of the game.”
As a team, the Pacers dished out 35 assists on 42 made field-goals, and they only committed six turnovers in the process. McMillan challenges his team to get 30 assists each night. Mission accomplished in this one.
It was an important game for the Pacers to get after the dreadful performance in New Orleans. They also didn’t want to fall to 0-2 against Philadelphia- a team they could be battling in the standings all season long.
“We played great basketball,” said Head Coach Nate McMillan. “We established our defense. I love the tempo we played with. We had better flow. We had great ball movement. It was a big all-around game for us.”
Home teams have dominated in the East so far this season, and especially with these two teams. The Pacers and Sixers have a combined home record of 31-5, and a combined road record of 14-20. If this teams match up in a playoff series, home court advantage could be huge.
After starting the season 0-3, the Pacers finished out 2019 by going 22-9. That’s a 58-win pace. For the decade, the Pacers won 58% of their games, which was the 3rd best in the entire Eastern Conference. They also had the best home record in the East this decade. It’s all pretty impressive when you consider they’ve been without their star player for at least 2 1/2 of those seasons.
After getting New Years Day off, another tough opponent will visit Bankers Life Fieldhouse, as the Denver Nuggets will be in town on Thursday. Outside of the one clunker in New Orleans, the Pacers have been just fine handling a tougher portion of their schedule.
As we close this decade out, the Pacers have a bright future ahead in the next one. They’ll try to continue playing at a very high level, as they chase that elusive NBA title.
