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Hornets take advantage of Pacers’ poor defense in 117-95 win
Posted On Feb 11 2016
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Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner (33) puts up a shot against Charlotte Hornets’ Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, in Indianapolis.
Walker and Lamb took advantage of their opportunities all night.
Charlotte (27-26) came into the game ranked 29th in the National Basketball Association in field goal percentage at 42.8 percent but shot 51.7 percent (45 of 87).
With Kidd-Gilchrist out, it seems likely coach Steve Clifford would go back to P.J. Hairston as a starter. “I thought our guys had good energy and were ready to play”.
The Pacers, who are just 3-3 in their last six games, were led by Paul George, who had 22 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. George Hill added 10 points, but it wasn’t even close to being enough to extend a two-game winning streak.
And with Indiana’s defense struggling to stay in front of the Hornets’ deft drivers and potent 3-point shooters, the Pacers never had a chance. “You have to figure out a way to get everybody on the same page going one direction”, Lakers star Kobe Bryant told reporters of his advice to George.
But Charlotte had all the answers. The Hornets’ bench was a key factor in the second quarter, scoring 25 of the Hornets’ 35 points. Charlotte extended its lead to 60-43 at halftime and maintained control throughout the second half. Clifford said Kidd-Gilchrist will have an MRI on Thursday. We’d later learn Kidd-Gilchrist suffered a dislocated shoulder. Pacers forward Jordan Hill also left early.
Indiana Pacers big man Jordan Hill is nursing a dislocated right ring finger.
IN has tried to turn up the tempo all season.
The Charlotte Hornets can glance at the Eastern Conference standings and notice that they are only two games behind the Indiana Pacers, who occupy the No. 6 spot, and are moving up.
Hornets: Marvin Williams made two 3s to give him 90 this season – five short of the career high he set last season….
Pacers: The 22-point loss matched Indiana’s most lopsided defeat of the season….
Pacers: Rodney Stuckey- out (right foot). They face the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 19th and if this version of the Pacers show up, it will be ugly.
