Indiana Pacers end losing streak with much-needed win over Charlotte Hornets
The Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets faced off on Wednesday night with both teams on a significant losing streak. Combined, the two teams had dropped nine outings in a row entering Wednesday. They were hoping to change that.
The game was in Indianapolis, and that allowed the Pacers to have an intense practice on Tuesday, they were looking to up their level and energy defensively to get back on track. During their recent slide, they have looked miserable.
Indiana's defense looked better early as they held the Hornets to four points in the first three-and-a-half minutes. They were up 7-4 at the time. Despite the advantage still being small, the blue and gold were playing how they wanted to early.
Myles Turner was playing well for Indiana in the first frame. With the game still evolving at 13-9, the veteran big man already had nine points and four rebounds. Without his start to the night, the blue and gold would have been behind.
Their bench put some heat into the game. With Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, and Jalen Smith in the game, the Pacers went on a mini-run and took a 22-15 lead. That prompted a timeout from Charlotte head coach Steve Clifford.
It did little to turn the Hornets fortunes. The Pacers kept their foot on the gas and ballooned their lead as high as 10 in the first frame. But the visitors closed the quarter strong on a 10-2 run, and the lead was just 31-29 after one quarter. Turner's 11 points was the high mark.
The second period began with some much-needed threes from Jalen Smith. They stabilized the Pacers after a run from the Hornets, which allowed the blue and gold to push back ahead. Despite Terry Rozier having no trouble scoring for Charlotte, the road team wasn't keeping up.
Ironically, once Rozier went back to the bench, the Hornets were able to go on another run and tie the game, which led to a timeout from Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. This had been a game of runs so far, and he needed to get his team out of that pattern if possible.
Tyrese Haliburton quickly answered for the blue and gold, scoring five points in quick succession. The Pacers used that energy to climb back ahead. They were up by eight not long after Haliburton re-entered the game.
It was still a game of runs, though, and the Hornets cut the lead down to two again quickly. With Rozier and Turner having little trouble scoring, it was tough for either team to stop the rush once it started.
Indiana closed the half strong, going on a 13-4 burst over the final 3:30 of the half. Turner, Haliburton, and Nesmith were making plays. They pushed the blue and gold ahead 71-60 at the break.
The second half began with a pair of threes from Buddy Hield, which helped the Pacers lead grow. But Gordon Hayward was playing well on the other side for Charlotte, so Indiana's lead was still manageable. It was a back-and-forth game for a few minutes.
Indiana was the team that hit hard next, pushing their lead to 15 after a few buckets around the rim. They found a groove and weren't letting the action turn back into a game of runs. They wanted to keep their big lead.
Hield, who had four points at halftime, had 19 with 5:48 remaining in the third quarter. He was on fire to start the second half, a much-needed run for the sharpshooter. That ensured the Pacers stayed in the lead. They didn't give up a run this time.
They were able to maintain a similar advantage for much of the quarter, but late in the third the Hornets cut into the lead a bit. Carlisle brought in a few starters to steady the ship and slow Charlotte.
It worked. Haliburton and Hield nailed some important shots for the Pacers, and they were leading by 21 points after three quarters at 107-86. Hield scored 19 points in the third quarter and was pacing his team with 23 heading into the final period.
Turner and Haliburton were having solid nights as well. The final frame started with more good play from the blue and gold, who had their bench group back on the floor. They only needed a few more minutes of success to put things away.
They got it. Their lead grew to as much as 30 in the ensuing stretch, enough to secure a win. Indiana just had to get across the finish line to end their losing streak at four games.
Three-point shots kept dropping for the Pacers, who had no trouble keeping the Hornets away even with the result all but decided. Indiana needed a victory like this in the worst way, and they were able to get it on Wednesday night.
They rolled for the final six minutes to hold on. In the end, the Pacers defeated the Hornets 144-113. 113 is the fewest by an Indiana opponent since a win over the Boston Celtics on December 4. Haliburton finished with 19 points and 13 assists. Hield had 25 points, Turner had 18, and Nesmith had 19.
The blue and gold hit the road for a back to back tomorrow in Memphis against the Grizzlies.
- James Johnson back with Indiana Pacers to provide wisdom and toughness. CLICK HERE.
- The Pacers can't just hope to outscore teams and win — their defense must get better. CLICK HERE.
- Pacers guard Isaiah Wong developing his point guard skills in the G League. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers losing streak reaches four after miserable defensive night against Los Angeles Clippers. CLICK HERE.
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