Indiana Pacers losing streak reaches four after miserable defensive night against Los Angeles Clippers
The Indiana Pacers were back playing at home for the first time in two weeks on Monday night. They were hosting the Los Angeles Clippers, who entered the game as winners of seven straight.
The Pacers were fortunate to have Tyrese Haliburton back from injury, but they were without center Myles Turner. Indiana was extra light on depth with the G League Showcase beginning this week — all of their two-way contract players as well as two rookies were with the Indiana Mad Ants. The blue and gold had 10 available players.
They opened the game keeping pace with Los Angeles, and the action was close after four minutes. With 7:45 to go in the first frame, the Pacers took an 11-10 lead. They were doing a good-enough job on both ends against a talented squad.
Isaiah Jackson and Bruce Brown were playing well for the Pacers early. They combined for 16 of the team's first 21 points, a needed start against a solid defensive team.
With 3:21 to go in the first period, Los Angeles led 30-27. Neither team was getting many stops early. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, LA's star players, were having little trouble getting going in the opening minutes.
After 12 minutes of play, the Pacers were ahead 38-37. Buddy Hield drilled a three-pointer for the blue and gold at the buzzer of the opening frame to give his team the lead. They were 16/24 from the field after one period.
The second quarter began with more solid offense from the Pacers. Their bench unit was playing well, and connected. While the Clippers offense was rolling too, Indiana was able to hold a lead for the opening stretch of the period.
Indiana was going a good job of getting all the way to the rim, which made their lives easier on offense. Not only were they finishing plays there, but everyone made solid passes around the basket as well. After a crummy finish to their recent road trip, the Pacers offense was solid through 18 minutes.
LA managed to tie the game up about halfway through the second quarter. Despite Indiana playing a good offensive game to that point, they weren't getting enough stops to actually get an advantage. The Clippers have many big wings who are punishing offensively.
With five minutes to go in the first half, the game was tied. With 3:32 remaining in the half, Los Angeles went up by 10. They went on a rapid burst of scoring to give themselves a double-digit lead. Indiana couldn't stop them in that span.
That continued into halftime. At the break, the Clippers were ahead 77-66. They scored 40 points in the second quarter and upped their level on defense. Despite good-enough play on offense for much of the half, Indiana was down 11. Jackson was leading the way for them with 15 points, but they needed others to step up.
The second half started with a dominant Clippers run. They scored 10 points quickly in the half, and the Pacers couldn't keep up. With more than eight minutes to go in the third quarter, LA's lead was up to 20. They were cruising.
The quarter continued with back-and-forth play, but the Pacers couldn't afford that style. They were down nearly 20 points — they had to get stops if they were going to come back and make things closer.
With 4:10 to go in the third frame, LA was ahead 100-81. They hit 100 points first, which is significant for the Clippers thanks to legendary broadcaster Ralph Lawler's Law. The percentages favored the road team.
Things never got closer as the frame neared its end. Los Angeles was playing much better than Indiana no matter who was on the floor. Haliburton couldn't get going. The Pacers didn't have any answers.
After three quarters, it was 114-94 Clippers. Leonard had 28 points and made it look easy. His run of form recently has been unbelievable. Bennedict Mathurin had 20 points for Indiana.
The final period started with five straight points from the Pacers, which cut the lead to 15. If they were going to win, they needed to keep playing at that level and getting stops.
Instead, James Harden responded with a three for the Clippers, and Indiana's small amount of momentum was gone. The road team had their number at every turn after the first quarter in this game. It was tough for Indiana to make any run.
Harden went on a magnificent run of his own. He couldn't miss in the early parts of the fourth quarter, scoring 21 points in the first six minutes of the frame. That buried the Pacers, who were down 30 at that point.
Los Angeles continued their ridiculous offensive level to close the game. Indiana could not stop them, and the Clippers were red-hot from three. They were rolling to a win.
The final score was 151-127. It was the fourth-straight loss for the Pacers, who are now 13-12. They have been blown out in all four losses. Haliburton finished with eight points and 11 assists. Mathurin finished with a career-high 34 points.
Indiana next plays on Wednesday when they host the Charlotte Hornets.
- Pacers and Bucks have a postgame scrum involving game ball after 64 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Oscar Tshiebwe first NBA points. CLICK HERE.
- What the Indiana Pacers lost in the In-Season Tournament Finals they gained in experience. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers legend George McGinnis passes away at 73. CLICK HERE.
- Pacers blown out by Minnesota Timberwolves, end road trip on three-game losing streak. CLICK HERE.
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