Pacers Dominate Lakers in Indianapolis: A Setback in the Western Playoff Race

Traveling to Indianapolis, the Lakers aimed to increase their five-game winning streak a little further. It was a failure, because the Pacers put on a successful performance and held the gap in their favor during the second half. For the Purple and Gold, it’s a bad operation in the very intense race for the Western Playoffs.

The statistics of this Californian 3-point carnage

A tight start to the match for the Lakers, then the Pacers liberated thanks in particular to an interesting TJ McConnell coming off the bench (16 points, 7/11 shooting). However, the scenario does not suggest a game controlled by the locals, at least during the first half. The Pacers will definitely take off at the start of the 3rd quarter, and will brilliantly resist Los Angeles’ attempt at a comeback as money time approaches. Enough to offer the 938th victory of coach Rick Carlisle’s career, which ties Red Auerbach in the all-time career success rankings.

No rhythm, Anthony Davis present (24 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists) without being fabulous, LeBron James in almost discreet triple-double mode despite some highlights (16 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists)… and lieutenants at the picks up, D’Angelo Russell in the lead (3/14 shooting, 0/6 from parking). Jalen Smith’s flagrant foul on Davis in the middle of the 4th quarter could have reignited the flame among the Californians, this was not the case.

AUSTIN REAVES ALLEY-OOP TO LEBRON!!! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/epbJY4PE1S

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) March 29, 2024

What really weighed down the Angelinos? A famished 3-point skill (16.7%, 5/30), not up to par against a Pacers team which was not sparkling but was content to play its game, with defensive efficiency at to note. The Lakers’ turnovers were also a factor in their defeat, as they lost 16 balls compared to only 8 for the locals. A lack of concentration which was also expressed in the choice of shots, Darvin Ham’s group having repeatedly refused open shots only to find themselves attempting the impossible at the end of possession.

On the Pacers side, the matches of Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton were rather good, 22 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for the first, 21 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists for the second. We also note that six Indiana players finished with 10 points or more, with a bench at 34 points, well above the 14 scored by the Lakers, which includes the rotation base sent at the end of the game to preserve the frames.

“Siakam puts it down!”

Andrew Nembhard’s steal leads to a Pascal Siakam slam 💥 pic.twitter.com/BgW7ghas9k

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 30, 2024

In all respects, a meeting to be erased in people’s minds, but which nevertheless hurts the rankings given the victory of the Warriors, and before the results of the Suns, the Kings and the Mavericks. We need to get back on track very quickly! At the same time, Indiana is giving itself some breathing space, and is two wins ahead of the play-in.

2024-03-30 01:48:00
#Lakers #lose #Pacers #winning #streak #ends