The first period was almost a continuous exchange of baskets. The Pacers can count on Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, but also on offensive rebounds, to fuel the score. Opposite, it's Luka Doncic who is enjoying himself. The two teams defend little and are very close at the break (70-74) even if it is Indiana who finishes the second quarter better.
An impression confirmed upon returning from the locker room. The Mavericks are giving in offensively, and can no longer keep up. The Pacers took advantage of this to go 10-2 and take a fifteen-point gap. For many minutes, Dallas was in trouble and there was now a way to go in the last quarter (88-106).
Kyrie Irving tries to wake up his team with two winning shots in a few seconds, but Rick Carlisle's men have the answer for everything. The gap climbs to twenty points and the Pacers therefore logically win 120-137. The problem is there for the Texans since it is their third defeat in a row and the fifth in six matches.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The third quarter that hurts. The Pacers' 20-6 in six minutes changed everything. Until then, the two teams were on the same boat. Except that the Mavericks fell into the sea, abandoned by 3-point shots that no longer wanted to go in. The gap was made and we returned to an exchange of baskets, which is the ideal scenario for Indiana and the worst for Dallas because it does not allow a comeback.
– Luka Doncic, the compass. The Slovenian was having a good day in the game, but less in attitude, which is never a good sign for Dallas. He thus increased the number of complaints to the referees, especially in the first period. With his 28 points at 11/17 and 6 assists in the first half, he allowed Dallas to keep pace with the Pacers. But without defense, his clumsiness after the break (11 points at 4/13) precipitated Dallas' new fall. However, he finished with a new triple-double, with 39 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
– The Indiana bench. With 69 points scored, including 19 for Bennedict Mathurin and 14 for Obi Toppin, the Pacers' substitutes scored half of their team's points and perfectly supported the executives. Opposite, only Daniel Gafford survived with 16 of the 32 points from the Mavericks bench.
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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.
