Indiana Pacers fall just short vs Minnesota Timberwolves and 44 points from Anthony Edwards
The Indiana Pacers returned home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. It was an important game for the Pacers, who were coming off of a bounce-back win over the Mavericks on Tuesday.
Karl-Anthony Towns was out for the Wolves, so Indiana was already at an advantage against a hobbled visiting team. Towns scored 40 for Minnesota the first time these two teams faced off this season.
On the very first possession of the game, superstar guard Anthony Edwards was in pain for the Timberwolves. He hobbled off the floor and ran back to the locker room. It was a huge break for the blue and gold.
Without two stars, things were going to be tough for Minnesota, though they have the best defense in the NBA. It still wasn't going to be easy for the Pacers to take advantage, especially with their recently uneven level offensively.
That Wolves defense held up early. The Pacers scored two points in the first three minutes of action and found themselves down 8-2. They were struggling, and the visitors were taking advantage of their transition opportunities. Indiana needed to find a groove on offense.
With 8:11 to go in the first quarter, Edwards returned to the game, which was bad news for the blue and gold. They were already down by five points and couldn't afford to lose more ground.
Yet they did, falling behind 14-5 just 4.5 minutes into the game. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle took a timeout at the time. His group couldn't get enough stops and was getting outclassed early.
The stoppage didn't help. The Pacers continued to struggle on both ends, hitting 3 of their first 12 shots as they fell behind 20-8. The Timberwolves' top-ranked defense was giving them all kinds of problems.
Indiana's early play was ugly. They had many unforced turnovers that led to easy buckets for their opponents, and they weren't able to find space for good shots on the floor. Even as the Pacers upped their energy and speed, they couldn't spark a comeback.
Finally, as the quarter was nearly over, the blue and gold went on a mini-run to cut their deficit under 10 points. They still looked like the inferior team, but they showed they are able to have some success against this Minnesota team.
After one period, the T-Wolves were ahead 33-23. They were led by nine points from Naz Reid while the Pacers were being guided by seven points and three assists from Tyrese Haliburton. Indiana had to be better on both ends.
Minnesota started the second period with a bigger lineup, and Indiana quickly chipped into the lead. They were down five just a few possessions into the frame and finally had some rhythm offensively. But they needed to get some stops.
They didn't. Instead, Minnesota surged and quickly found themselves up by 11 again. If the early part of the game suggested anything, it was that Indiana needed to make a defensive change if they were going to keep up. They were giving up basket after basket at the rim.
That continued for the next few minutes. The Pacers had absolutely no answers. It was 54-37 with 4:46 to go in the first half — Minnesota had more points in the paint than Indiana had total. The visitors were dominating.
Indiana was able to cut into the deficit over the final few minutes of the half, but not by much. They found some consistency on the offensive end, which they desperately needed. It was 60-49 after two quarters, with Pascal Siakam leading the way for the blue and gold with 14 points.
The second half started with terrific play from the Pacers. They changed their defensive approach and got multiple stops in a row, and they paired it with offensive success. They cut the Timberwolves lead down to three in the first few minutes of the third period — it was 62-59.
With seven minutes left in the period, the Wolves advantage was down to two points. The crowd was back into the game, and they got a loud "de-fense" chant going around that time. Indiana had some momentum. They were playing well.
On their very next possession, Siakam tied the game at 66 with a layup, and Myles Turner dunked to give Indiana the lead on the ensuing trip down the floor. At the time, it was a 19-6 run for the blue and gold, who were ahead for the first time since early in the first quarter.
The score remained tied at 68 for several possessions. The game was turning into a physical, lower scoring battle, but Indiana was doing well defensively to hang on. Minnesota's offensive rhythm was off.
Despite the visiting team's struggles, they were able to score on consecutive offensive trips after giving up the lead. They were back in front on the scoreboard, but it was a tight game. Little things were going to make the difference.
Through three quarters, the score was tied at 83. Indiana outscored Minnesota 34-23 in the third frame to come back and tie the game, but they have 12 more minutes to go. The battle was far from over. Haliburton was up to 18 points and 11 assists.
The fourth quarter began with five bench players on the floor for Indiana. Across from them were three Minnesota starters. The Pacers were going to try to steal some rest for their best players during this stretch and keep the score close.
After three minutes of fourth quarter action, the score was tied at 89. The blue and gold were getting great play from their reserves — that group was keeping up during a key stretch.
The next few possessions were controlled by Minnesota, who took a 95-92 lead with 7:26 to go. Carlisle took a timeout at that time in an attempt to stabilize his group for the stretch run.
Indiana's starters came in at the time, and they were down by three. They had time to catch up, but they needed to play well. Minnesota was hitting their stride after a crummy third quarter.
With 3:40 to go, it was 101-98 in favor of the Timberwolves. There was a stoppage in the action, and both teams were able to catch their breath and regroup. This one was going to come down to the wire.
Indiana scored on their first two possessions out of the break to take a 102-101 lead, and the game went back-and-forth for the next few possessions. The lead traded hands several times in that stretch. With 1:28 to go, the game was tied at 105.
Edwards hit a huge three on the Timberwolves next possession, and he followed it up with a mid-range jumper to put Minnesota up by five with 46 seconds to go. The Pacers took a timeout.
Out of the break, Turner hit a three to cut the lead to two, but Edwards answered again. He was doing everything he could to will the Wolves to a win. But there was still work to do for the visitors.
With 16.3 on the clock, it was 112-111 in favor of Minnesota. Free throws were going to decide this game if the Pacers couldn't get a steal.
There was no steal, and Edwards knocked down one free throw. The Pacers had a chance on the final possession to tie the game, and Aaron Nesmith was barrelling toward the rim.
His layup attempt was blocked, though and Minnesota held on for a 113-111 win. It was a tight battle for nearly the entire second half. The Pacers fell to 35-29 with the loss.
Edwards finished with 44 points. Haliburton had 23 points and 13 assists. Siakam added 24 points. The Pacers were doomed by their poor offense in the first half.
They hit the road for an important game against the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
- Sources: Indiana Pacers signing forward Kendall Brown to three-year contract. CLICK HERE. Quenton Jackson is getting a two-way deal with the Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers chasing the playoffs and watching the standings as March arrives. CLICK HERE.
- Pascal Siakam shows increased comfort level with Indiana Pacers in February win over New Orleans Pelicans. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers offense clicks as they get back on track with an important road win over Dallas Mavericks. CLICK HERE.
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