• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

February 3rd 2017

Indiana Pacers 106 Brooklyn Nets 97

 

It was the summer of 2014; Paul George was playing in an exhibition game for Team USA when he suffered a horrific leg injury. Flash-forward to last night’s game and that injury seems to be just a dream and a distant memory. His totals for the game 24-points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. He hit timely baskets and led his team to their 5th consecutive victory.

 

The Friday Night lights were on at the Barclays. The Brooklyn Nets hosted the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers were on a 4-game win streak and have been playing a lot better since their rough start to the season. George’s play as of late has been a factor but there are other reasons as well.

 

“It took some figuring each other out..We are putting a lot of pressure on a lot of different teams.” Thaddeus Young (Indiana Pacers)

 

The Pacers acquisitions during the offseason were all accomplished players with playoff experience. Thaddeus Young, Jeff Teague and Al Jefferson all played a big role in the expectations for the Pacers coming into this season and they all played a big role in this 5th consecutive win.

 

For the home team the story is a little different they are now 9-41 and have now lost 8 in a row. The Nets were still without Jeremy Lin, their biggest acquisition this offseason as he is still rehabbing from a hamstring injury. Lin participated in pregame warm-ups and shoot around but did not play. He was moving well and looks to be on-track to return soon.

 

The rookie Caris LeVert got his first career start tonight and was rewarded with being tasked with slowing down Paul George. Caris struggled a little offensively (1-9 from the field) but he was active on defense and did not shy away from the challenge of going up against the all-star.

 

Early on the Pacers seemed to focus their offense on whomever Isaiah Whitehead was guarding. Jeff Teague had 9-points in the blink of an eye and Paul George exploited the mismatch in the post, scoring on a lay-up giving the Pacers a 14-4 lead and forcing coach Atkinson to use an early timeout with 8 minutes left in the first quarter.

 

The Pacers led by as many as 14-points in the first half. The Nets dug themselves into a hole early and it was difficult to get out of it in the first half. Joe Harris had 10-points at the half as he shot the ball well from behind the arc. Brook was Brook, consistent and efficient, he had 12-points and 6 rebound in the first half however the Nets were still down by ten at the half as the Pacers led 56-46.

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Brook Lopez pregame. Photo: Sherman Gomez

 

 

Jeff Teague started to heat up at the beginning of the second half. He had another quick burst with 7-points in about 2 minutes. Teague finished with 24-points and 7 assists for the game. He shot well from the field (6-10) and along with George he hit timely baskets late in the game.

In the third quarter the Nets offense came alive Sean Kilpatrick and Spencer Dinwiddie led the comeback. Kilpatrick had 6-points and Dinwiddie added 7 as they got the home team back into the game.

 

“ They started making shots..” Jeff Teague Indiana Pacers

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Jeff Teague finished the game with 24-points and 7 rebounds. Photo: Sherman Gomez

When I hear the word energy I immediately associate it with Quincy Acy. Acy came in and gave the entire team and arena energy, grabbing boards, blocking shots and hitting a big 3 in the 4th quarter to cut the Nets deficit to just one point. The Nets recently signed Quincy to a 2-year deal after his second 10-day contract. He plays his heart out on every possession and has improved offensively even adding range from behind the arc.

 

The Pacers had a scare when Thaddeus Young went down in the fourth and immediately went to the locker room grabbing his left arm. In the locker room he was wearing a brace however he said he would be fine. Young had 10-points and 9 rebound before he exited the game in his second return to Brooklyn.

 

The new acquisitions for the Pacers finished the game with 45-points, 17-rebounds and 10-assists. Al Jefferson had 11-points and 5 rebounds.

The game was close in the 4th and both teams traded leads but the Pacers ultimately prevailed. Paul George and Jeff Teague both hit timely baskets to give the Pacers the victory. The Nets could not complete the comeback as they had a few costly turnovers late and could not convert on some “simple plays” as Coach Atkinson put it.

“They had too many big runs…” Kenny Atkinson

Brook Lopez finished with 23-points and 6 rebounds; the team is still trying to keep a positive outlook on the season. Coach Atkinson said regardless of the loss the team would still come to practice with smiles on their faces and try to get the next game.

Thank You for reading.

Sherman Gomez is a Staff Writer for PureSportsNY

Follow me on Twitter: sherman@shermangmz1

Instagram: dash_natahan

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All Photos and video by Sherman Gomez for PureSportsNY

 

By Sherman Gomez

"Basketball is my favorite sport, I like the way they dribble up and down the court." "I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller." "Last week messed around and got a triple double." I write about basketball sometimes and then I try to go play....

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