Game 31: Pacers (20-10) vs. Raptors (21-8)
On the second night of a back-to-back the Pacers welcomed the Toronto Raptors to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Both teams would be short-handed. The Pacers would be without Malcolm Brogdon and the Raptors played without Pascal Siakam. The Pacers jumped out to a quick lead and led 30-19 after the 1st. The teams would play fairly even in the 2nd, but a big 3rd quarter from the Raptors would make things close heading into the 4th. The two teams continued to play even in the final quarter and would head to overtime, tied at 107. Aaron Holiday stepped up late for Indiana in the absence of Brogdon and lead the Pacers to a 120-115 overtime win. TJ Warren and Myles Turner lead the team in scoring, both finished with 24 points.
FINAL: Pacers: 120 Raptors: 115
Game 32: Pacers (21-10) at Heat (22-8)
The first game after Christmas would be a tough one for the Pacers. Now led by Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat have been playing well to start the season. Especially at home where they have only lost one game. This game felt like a playoff game, neither team could ever separate themselves. Late in the 4th the Pacers held a one-point lead and Miami had the ball. The Heat had several opportunities as Indiana failed to secure a defensive rebound to end the game. Eventually Goran Dragic hit a floater in the lane giving the lead back to the Heat with only a few seconds to go. The Pacers were unable to score on the other end and fall to the Heat by a score of 112-113.
FINAL: Pacers: 112 Heat: 113
Game 33: Pacers (21-11) at Pelicans (9-23)
The Pacers would start their week and end their week with back-to-back games. Back-to-backs are always tough, but they become tougher after the holidays, when both games are on the road, and when you just lost a heart breaker the night before. The Pacers came out sluggish and they looked that way for most of the game. The Pelicans ran away with this one, winning the game 98-120. This game did make history though. It was the first time in NBA history that 3 brothers were on the court at the same time, Jrue Holiday for the Pelicans, Justin and Aaron Holiday for the Pacers.
FINAL: Pacers: 98 Pelicans: 120
Coming up this week for the Pacers:
Tuesday December 31st – vs. Philadelphia
Thursday January 2nd – vs. Denver
Saturday January 4th – at Atlanta