Indiana Pacers dominate San Antonio Spurs behind 86-point first half
The Indiana Pacers hosted the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night for the first time of the 2023-24 season. It was Indiana's first game against a Western Conference foe of the campaign, and rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama was in the house.
The French center, still just 19, is a unique talent that draws a crowd already. Gainbridge Fieldhouse was packed for the action, and Wembanyama had a chance to impress early.
The Pacers started the game with Obi Toppin defending him, which was really their only option. Myles Turner, Indiana's starting center, was occupied with Zach Collins down low, and Toppin couldn't have handled the Collins matchup.
Early, that alignment was working for Indiana. They raced ahead to a 9-4 lead with little resistance, and Tyrese Haliburton was on fire early. He picked up right where he left off on Saturday, a 43-point outing against the Charlotte Hornets.
Turner kept Indiana rolling after San Antonio adjusted to Haliburton. He had 11 points and five rebounds after seven minutes of play, and that helped the Pacers stay ahead of the Spurs' strong offensive start. They took a 30-23 lead before a pause in the action late in the first quarter.
The blue and gold kept cruising to close the quarter. Their bench group, which has been excellent this season, extended the lead, and they led by 16 after one frame. Indiana made 13 free throws early, and both Turner and Tyrese Haliburton were in double figures.
The second quarter continued similarly to open. The Pacers offense was humming, and the Spurs were scoring enough to keep the deficit at a manageable number. After four minutes of play in the second quarter, Indiana led by 18.
They continued to cruise for the rest of the half. Indiana couldn't miss from three in the first half — they made 14/22 — and they were a perfect 14/14 from the foul line. Haliburton had 20 points at the break while Wembanyama had eight points and five rebounds. It was 86-61 at halftime, and 86 tied the Pacers franchise record for points in one half.
It's hard to follow up a half like that, but the Pacers would have to try. They opened up the third quarter with less scoring but just as much effectiveness. They extended their lead after four minutes of the second half and showed no signs of slowing down.
Bennedict Mathurin came alive a bit in the second half to extend the lead, and Toppin kept the momentum going with a burst of his own. Every Pacers player was having a solid night, especially on the offensive end. They were dominating.
After three quarters, Indiana led 119-87. Six different players had reached double digit points already with Haliburtons's 23 leading the way.
The Pacers turned to some of their reserves in the fourth quarter. Ben Sheppard was in the lineup to open the frame and Jarace Walker came in after just a few minutes. Even with those two and other depth pieces in for the blue and gold, they still got whatever shot they wanted against the Spurs.
Halfway through the frame, the Pacers led 138-100. The result was already decided, the clock just had to run out. The blue and gold cruised to a 152-111 win in the end. Their 152 points were a season high and tied a franchise record
Haliburton finished with 23 points and eight assists. Turner had a double double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Hield and Toppin both contributed 19 points, and two other Pacers reached double figures in scoring.
It was a team win, and a dominant one at that. Indiana is now 4-3 and hosts the Utah Jazz on Wednesday for their next outing.
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- Indiana Pacers drop the second end of a back to back against the Charlotte Hornets. CLICK HERE.
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