Three takeaways from Indiana Pacers crushing defeat against New Orleans Pelicans
The Indiana Pacers were pummeled by the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. The game was rarely close — New Orleans scored 48 points in the first quarter and the score margin didn't get closer than 11 after that.
The Pacers beat the Pelicans on Wednesday in a home game, but this outing looked far different. The battle in Indianapolis was close with three minutes to go before the blue and gold closed it out. Friday was nearly a wire-to-wire drubbing.
Brandon Ingram was sensational for the Pelicans, scoring 34 points and raining in shots from the mid range. Trey Murphy III was also excellent, using his effective defense and accurate outside shooting to impact the game on both ends.
Indiana, meanwhile, was led in scoring by Isaiah Jackson and Bennedict Mathurin. They each finished with 13 points, which is the fewest by a leading scorer for the Pacers this season. The previous low was 14 in a mid-January clash with Utah.
Many numbers in this game were lopsided, including the final score. The Pelicans won 129-102, the second-biggest margin of defeat for Indiana this season. They were putrid, and it cost them.
The Pacers takeaways are largely negative from such a bad outing.
The Pelicans had a historic first quarter
New Orleans tied their franchise record with 48 points in the first frame. They were on fire, knocking down every open look they generated while also drilling tough shot after tough shot.
They were 20/22 from the field in the quarter, good for 90.9%. That is the high mark for any team in the NBA this campaign during an individual quarter, and it's the best first quarter for any group since 2014.
Ingram was 9/11 with 19 points in the quarter. Both of his missed shots were rebounded by the Pelicans, who scored on the extra chances, and no other Pelicans player missed a shot in the first period. They scored on every possession in which they took a shot — every stop from Indiana came via a turnover, and they didn't grab a single defensive rebound.
"The way they started the game was something we probably haven't seen very often," Pacers assistant coach Jenny Boucek said at halftime during an interview on the Bally Sports Indiana broadcast. The 48-26 deficit was almost the entire final scoring difference. That early dominance decided the game.
Tyrese Haliburton had one of his worst nights as a Pacer
Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton finished with zero points and three assists in the loss. It was just the second time of Haliburton's career, and the first time with Indiana, that he was held scoreless.
He was 0/7 from the field, and his teammates also had rough offensive nights which contributed to his down passing numbers. He is usually the engine that makes the Pacers offense go, and he recently showed his high pre-injury level. But this was a poor performance from Indiana's star.
"It's not a Tyrese thing, It's a Pacers thing," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of the bad loss. Two nights earlier, Haliburton commented on his recent play.
"Just on the struggle bus right now. Trying to figure it out. Trying to help the team win," Haliburton said on Wednesday. He's not playing well of late.
Statistically, the Pacers star guard had one of his worst nights in an Indiana uniform. He, and the team, will hope for better play on Sunday.
Jarace Walker was a bright spot
Perhaps the lone bright spot for the Pacers on Friday was the play of rookie forward Jarace Walker. With Doug McDermott and Ben Sheppard sidelined, Walker was in the playing rotation, and he looked comfortable despite his shot not falling.
Walker finished with six points, seven rebounds, six assists (a career high), three steals, and three blocks (also a career high). He filled up the stat sheet and defended capable players throughout the night.
"Our bench came in, gave us some good minutes. We need more of that," Boucek said. Walker was a part of those groups, the Pacers actually outscored the Pelicans in his first half minutes.
For the night, Indiana was +15 with Walker on the floor. He was terrific and showed off the ball handling and passing abilities he has shown in the G League throughout the year. In a career-high minutes allotment, Walker was impressive on an otherwise down night for the Pacers — even drawing praise from head coach Rick Carlisle.
The Pacers will look to bounce back on Sunday on the road against the San Antonio Spurs.
- Ben Sheppard is earning trust of Indiana Pacers with his hard play and quality performances. CLICK HERE.
- Jordan Nwora returns to Indianapolis and reflects on his time with the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- Pascal Siakam shows increased comfort level with Indiana Pacers in February win over New Orleans Pelicans. CLICK HERE.
- New Orleans Pelicans catch fire and crush Indiana Pacers to open March. CLICK HERE.
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