The Indiana Pacers (2-1) suffer their first setback of the season as the Chicago Bulls (2-2) force the Pacers to turn the ball over seventeen times.
FIRST QUARTER:
The Pacers defense had trouble getting stops against Washington and Cleveland in the first quarter, but they were able to do so tonight. Indiana’s inability to make three-pointers would be the recurring theme of the opening quarter. Although Bruce Brown made both of his attempts, the team’s performance was only 2/10. Tyrese Haliburton scored seven points and dished out six assists to lead Indiana in scoring during the session. Nikola Vucevic led Chicago in scoring with eight points and six rebounds. Neither team would have a big advantage. The biggest lead held by any team during the quarter was six points, and it fluctuated seven times. Pacers had a 30-27 advantage after one.
SECOND QUARTER:
When the scores for each side are added together, the middle two quarters would have the lowest totals. The Bulls would outscore Indiana 26–25. Indiana’s shooting problems would start in this period. They attempted eleven threes, but only managed to make two (both by Myles Turner). Chicago had a balanced scoring strategy, with four individuals scoring five points and seven of the nine players on the team scoring points. Myles Turner led Indiana’s offense with 11 points. Chicago only missed one of their eleven attempts to go to the free throw line. Turner led all scorers with 13 points. Haliburton, with 11 points, came in second. LaVine and Vucevic led Chicago in scoring with ten points apiece. LaVine and Vucevic led Chicago in scoring with ten points apiece. Indiana managed to maintain a two-point advantage at the break, 55-53.
THIRD QUARTER:
The Indiana Pacers would have a wild third quarter. For the first time in the game, they were on the verge of going ahead by double figures, but they failed to control the basketball to let Chicago back into the contest. At the beginning of the half, the Bulls would tie the score as they emerged from the locker rooms. It would really tie the game four times until the Pacers took the lead by a few points. Buddy Hield would make a three-pointer with four minutes remaining in the fourth to give the Pacers their biggest lead of the game, 77-69. For the remainder of the game, the two teams would trade baskets for points. After 36 minutes of play, Indiana would lead 83-78. Indiana went 2/7 from three-point range and turned the ball over seven times in total. With six points, Haliburton led Indiana in scoring. With eight points, DeRozan led the way for Chicago.
FOURTH QUARTER:
The Pacers appeared to be about to go on a run to take the lead and permanently shut out the Bulls heading into the fourth quarter, but Chicago would not go away. They started the quarter on a 10-3 run, taking an 88-86 lead for the first time since the second quarter ended 44-43. With 4:05 remaining, the two teams were tied at 99, but the Bulls made a brief run to take the lead. DeRozan, LaVine, and Vucevic cleaned up the glass to lead Chicago’s surge, which saw them lead 109-102 with 1:17 remaining. In order to force a one-possession game, Indiana would not score. After forcing four turnovers in the quarter, Chicago would defeat the Pacers 112-105. Indiana scored 6/26 (23%) and 4/16 (25%) from the field and distance throughout the quarter.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tyrese Haliburton (19p, 13a, 2s), DeMar DeRozan (20p, 4a), Zach LaVine (23p, 5r), and Nikola Vucevic (24p, 17r, 3a). Click here for the complete box score for tonight.
NOTES: This was Tyrese Haliburton’s third straight double-double. In his brief career, Haliburton has had the longest stretch at seven games. Myles Turner scored three double-doubles in a row, and he has played in four games three times in his career (twice this season). Against the Pacers, Nikola Vucevic ties a career high with 17 rebounds for the third time.
UPCOMING: Indiana will travel for a brief one-game journey before making a five-game return trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers will play the Boston Celtics (3-0) on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. Pat Boylan’s Kroger Pregame Show will air on 93.5/107.5 at 7 p.m. Eastern. The Admirer.