With a third defeat in four games, the Pacers see their hopes of “play-in” dwindle a little more each evening… Tonight, Buddy Hield’s teammates lost 115-109 in Charlotte after wasting a lead of 21 dots! In the wake of a super Myles Turner, unstoppable in the middle, Indiana had actually made the best start to lead 40-22 after twelve minutes, then several times by 21 points in the second quarter (45-24, 52 -31 and 54-33). Then the Hornets put their holders into play, and they sign a 10-0 in two minutes thanks to Terry Rozier and Kelly Oubre Jr. The match is restarted and at the break, Indiana only has a lead of eight points (66- 58).
Back from the locker room, the duo continued their festival, and on a 3-pointer, Oubre Jr. equalized (75-75). Then follows a crossover, until Buddy Hield plants two 3-pointers in a row to give the Pacers a 9-point lead (105-96). There are six minutes left to play, and Rick Carlisle’s players will suddenly crack. It’s Svi Mykhailiuk, from a 3-pointer in the corner, who sounds the revolt of the Hornets to launch a 13-0! The Hornets took control of the match (109-105) and the Pacers will go five minutes without scoring! Thanks to the accuracy of Gordon Hayward, Charlotte retains this advantage until the end to sign a victory for butter.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Indiana loose ballast. Third loss in four games for the Pacers, deprived of their master to play Tyrese Haliburton. As Rick Carlisle will explain, this is the type of opportunity that should not be wasted. With a record of 32v-40th, the Pacers now have two fewer successes than Chicago, current 10th.
– Charlotte in an “uncomfortable” position. Tanking or not? At the Hornets, Kelly Oubre Jr. admits that he and his teammates are in an “uncomfortable” position. “It’s a bit strange the reaction of people… When we played badly and we lost, they let us down. But when we win, they tell us not to win. This puts us in an uncomfortable position. But we will continue to give our all, with in mind to prepare something for next year”.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Kelly Oubre Jr. On transition play or from a distance, he remains an aggressive and electric attacker. The kind of element that can wake up an entire team.
✅Gordon Hayward. The quiet strength in the 4th quarter to get shots and put the game down.
✅ Nick Richards. A big “double-double” for the inside game when there were people in front: Turner, Smith and Jackson.
✅ Bennedict Mathurin. A very convincing return, and he proves that he can be as effective as a starter.
⛔ Buddy Hield. A lot of waste for the Pacers shooter: 7 out of 18 on shots!
THE FOLLOWING
Indiana (32-40) : displacement Wednesday evening in Toronto.
Charlotte (23-50) : trip Wednesday evening to New Orleans
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