After a first quarter marked by incredible success on both sides (61%), the Pacers took control of the match. With TJ McConnell at the helm, two winning shots from Obi Toppin and Myles Turner (18 points) gave them a ten-point lead (49-39). The duo Domantas Sabonis (21 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) – De'Aaron Fox (24 points) limits the damage but Benedict Mathurin (25 points) and Jalen Smith allow Indiana to finish the half with an 8-0 lead. to take a 13-point lead (70-57).
Led by Keegan Murray (27 points, 9 rebounds) and a fiery Kevin Huerter (31 points), the Kings started the second with a 20-9 (79-77)! The Pacers, however, let the storm pass. Buddy Hield (12 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds) hits from afar twice and Jarace Walker (15 points) finishes a 20-12, which puts Sacramento back on the ropes (99-89).
While a new award-winning shot from Ben Mathurin puts Indiana at +16 with two minutes to play (122-106), the Kings pass them 15-2 in 90 seconds! The Golden One Center roars, and Fox even has the equalizing ball but his 3-point shot, with first intention, fails on the circle and two free throws from Jalen Smith seal the victory for the Pacers. Without Tyrese Haliburton, nor Pascal Siakam… This is above all the 4th defeat in a row for the Kings!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Pacers' dream first half. Deprived of Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard, injured, and Pascal Siakam, not yet available, the Pacers naturally scored 70 points on the Kings at 62% shooting success! Thanks to TJ McConnell, they pushed the pace as soon as possible and attacked their opponents' racket (38 points to 24). Their bench, thanks to Obi Toppin and Ben Sheppard, also dominated that of Sacramento (19-4). This bodes well for Rick Carlisle when he has his full complement at his disposal!
– Kevin Huerter has the hot hand. For the second time in three games, the Kings guard scored at least 26 points. This night, he finished with 31 points at 7/12 at 3-point range to keep his team in the game in the third quarter. If his address was not enough to avoid the defeat of Sacramento. Despite an up-and-down season, the return to form of the man nicknamed “Red Velvet” is important if the Kings want to stay in the Top 6 in the West.
– Domantas Sabonis joins Nikola Jokic. With his 12th triple double of the season last night, the Lithuanian pivot from Sacramento equals the record of the Nuggets superstar at the top of the NBA.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
