Game 48: Pacers (30-17) vs. Bulls (19-30)
The Pacers first game back from their west coast swing was possibly the biggest game of the year so far, the return of Victor Oladipo. Oladipo was the first one off the bench for Indiana. He returned to a standing ovation from the packed house at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Oladipo scored his first points of the season on a floater in the lane. As the game went on the Pacers looked tight and were forcing things to try to make big plays for the big occasion. The Pacers trailed by 3 with 9 seconds left. The ball was in-bounded to Victor Oladipo who looked towards the basket from several feet behind the 3-point arc. Without taking a dribble Oladipo raised up and took the shot that would tie the game. He hit it, nothing but net, it was like something out of a movie. The crowd went nuts and the game went to overtime. The overtime session was all Pacers and they would go on to win the game.
FINAL: Pacers 115 Bulls: 106
Game 49: Pacers (31-17) vs. Knicks (13-36)
A short week for the Pacers as they return from that long road trip. The second game of the week would be their final game of the week. The Pacers welcomed a struggling Knicks team. Maybe a result of that long road trip or possibly still coming down from the wild game on Wednesday, regardless of what is was, the Pacers were not ready to play in this game and that was clear from the start. Indiana only managed to score 11 points in the opening quarter. Most of the team struggled and the Pacers lose this one 85-92.
FINAL: Pacers: 85 Knicks: 92
Coming up this week for the Pacers:
Monday February 3rd – at Dallas
Wednesday February 5th – at Toronto
Friday February 7th – vs. Toronto
Saturday February 8th – vs. New Orleans