NEWSLETTER
The Indiana Pacers flipped the script on the Chicago Bulls.
One night after dominating the San Antonio Spurs in the paint, it was the Bulls who were being dominated. The Indiana Pacers used 20 assists in the first half to repeatedly find cutters and set themselves up for plenty of open looks at the rim. By the time halftime rolled around, they had a 38-18 advantage in the paint.
Meanwhile, the Bulls struggled to put together a complete first half. They started the night with a scalding hot first quarter, going 9-17 from downtown in the opening 12 minutes. This included a stretch of five-straight threes, which featured Lonzo Ball scoring on assisting on the last three. When the second quarter arrived, however, whatever shooting rhythm the Bulls had evaporated. Chicago went 8-23 from the field and scored only 19 points in the quarter. The Pacers were a +17 and took a 67-54 lead into the locker room.
To the Bulls’ credit, they didn’t roll over despite playing 24 hours prior. Zach LaVine put together one of the typical scoring stretches, posting 14 points in the third quarter. Lonzo Ball also continued to make his presence felt, knocking down a pair of 3s and assisting on another. While the defense wasn’t showing up in the way they needed, the offense was back on its first-quarter track, and it led to a much more manageable 10-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter.
Chicago continued to look motivated, but every time they threw a jab, Indiana had an answer. Tyrese Haliburton hit a couple of stone-cold three-pointers before TJ McConnell started to make his presence felt. The pesky guard drained a three and hit a tough layup to put the Pacers up 11 with 3:25 left to go. Vucevic immediately fired back with his three to keep the Bulls within striking distance, but Turner followed that up with one of his own.
That was practically the story of the second half. Every time the Bulls looked ready to close the gap, the Pacers pushed them back down. I guess it just goes to show a 36-19 second quarter is hard to overcome! Oh, and you probably shouldn’t let a team shoot 18-29 from downtown!
Player Grades
Zach LaVine – A-
Stats: 32 PTS, 3 AST, 3 REB
The Bulls were out of this game until Zach LaVine did Zach LaVine things. This was a season-high scoring night for the veteran.
Lonzo Ball – A-
Stats: 9 PTS, 4 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK
The more Lonzo Ball is on the court, the better he looks. The fact he can be this energetic on both ends of the floor is pretty darn amazing. Considering he’s still very early on in his comeback, a performance like this deserves an A. He’s the Ankin Law: “Making it Personal” Player of the Game because why not!?
Ayo Dosunmu – B+
Stats: 15 PTS, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK
Ayo Dosunmu was still sizzling from his first career triple-double. He was money from downtown and caught the Pacers sleeping in transition a few times. He sparked a little bit of life into the Bulls’ offense when they needed it most.
Jalen Smith – B
Stats: 10 PTS, 7 REB, 1 BLK
Jalen Smith’s athleticism was a breath of fresh air at times tonight. The Bulls were dealing with a lot more active size in the frontcourt this evening with Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. Smith did what he could to keep up. It was a decent revenge game considering his minutes.
Coby White – C
Stats: 19 PTS, 9 AST, 4 REB
Coby White’s 7-19 shooting display showed there was a little bit of rust after a two-game absence.
Josh Giddey – C-
Stats: 10 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB
Too many easy misses for Josh Giddey tonight, especially behind the arc (0-6).
Box Score
Check out the full box score here.
