Game 24: Pacers (15-8) vs. Clippers (17-7)
This was the Pacers first game against the new look Clippers, but Kahwi Leonard sat out the game with it being the second night of a back-to-back. Paul George would play in the game and he was greeted to mostly boos with a small mix of cheers from the crowd at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. George dominated the game, he scored 36 points but took 26 shots. The Clippers lead early and never really looked back. They would go on to win the game by a score of 99-110. Domantas Sabonis finished the game with 22 rebounds. The most by any Pacer since Dale Davis in 1993.
FINAL: Pacers: 99 Clippers: 110
Game 25: Pacers (15-9) vs. Celtics (17-5)
For the second game in a row the Pacers would welcome a familiar face back to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Although he has never played for the Pacers, Gordon Hayward won a state championship at Bankers Life and of course played his college ball right up the road with Butler. Hayward made his return to the starting lineup after missing a lot of time with a broken hand. Kemba Walker was the real star for the Celtics in this game, finishing with a game high 44 points, but it wouldn’t be enough. The Pacers won the final quarter by 15 points and would win the game 122-117. Malcolm Brogdon hit all 15 of his free throws. In the past 15 years the only other player to be perfect from the line and take at least 15 free throws is Danny Granger in 2008.
FINAL: Pacers: 122 Celtics: 117
Game 26: Pacers (16-9) at Hawks (6-19)
The Pacers entered this game 6-6 on the road. A dominant first half for the Pacers would give them a 63-48 lead heading into the halftime break. The Hawks would fight back in the 3rd and trail only by 3 heading into the 4th. Indiana’s defense shut down the Hawks in the final quarter only allowing 17 points. The Pacers go on to win this game 110-100. No one on the Pacers scored more than 20 points but they had 7 plays score in double figures.
FINAL: Pacers: 110 Hawks: 100
Game 27: Pacers (17-9) vs. Hornets (12-16)
The Pacers went on a 10-0 run early in the 1st quarter and never looked back. It seemed like the Pacers led the game by 10 points the entire time. Besides the 3rd quarter where they only managed to score 13 points, but would bounce back with 35 points in the 4th quarter. The Pacers were lead in scoring by Aaron Holiday who scored 23 points off the bench. The Pacers won the game by a final score of 107-85.
FINAL: Pacers: 107 Hornets: 85
Coming up this week for the Pacers:
Tuesday December 17th – vs. Lakers
Friday December 20th – vs. Kings
Sunday December 22nd – at Bucks