Pacers enjoying some ‘home cookin’ during Thanksgiving week
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — As the movie “Wicked” continues to dominate the box office this week, the Indiana Pacers have also reminded fans that “there’s no place like home.” After a rough 6-10 start to the young season, Thanksgiving week has provided the home cookin’ the Pacers desperately needed, and it has resulted in three straight victories. The latest victim: The Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday night.
The Pacers trailed by 10 points early in the second quarter, but pushed all the right buttons from that point forward. The end result- a 121-114 victory.
“Big improvements in the last seven days,” said Head Coach Rick Carlisle. “Communication. Eye contact. All of it. Another really important win. Another game of staying together. Nothing easy about any of it.”
Much like the team itself, Tyrese Haliburton has been a different player this season when playing in front of the home fans. After a monster night on Monday, the Pacers’ star followed that performance up on Wednesday with 27 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. While averaging just 12.3 points on 32% shooting on the road, he’s been his typical All-Star level self at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, averaging around 22 points and 9+ assists on 46% shooting. The Pacers are now 5-1 when Haliburton scores 20+ points.
“Obviously this lineup hasn’t played a lot together,” said Haliburton. “We’re just figuring it all out. Everybody is picking their spots and trying to play the game the right way. It can be anybody’s night on any given night. We’re not real worried about that. When other guys get back, we’ll have to continue figuring it out.”
It wasn’t the prettiest game against Rip City, but the Pacers used a balance attack to get the job done. Pascal Siakam made huge plays down the stretch and led the way with 29 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Bennedict Mathurin added 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Myles Turner chipped in 15 points and seven boards. Portland came in as the team that attacks the offensive glass (2nd in the NBA), but it was the Pacers who grabbed 20 offensive boards in the victory.
The Pacers are now 7-2 at home, while 2-8 on the road. They’ve got a chance to make it four straight in their building on Friday night. The Detroit Pistons will be in town for the annual Black Friday game at the Fieldhouse. With a win, the Pacers will get their record back to the .500 mark.
