Much like last Saturday’s contest against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Indiana Pacers came out ready to play in Chicago as they manhandled the Bulls 109-77. They outscored Chicago 31-18 in the opening period in large part due to a 14-0 run after falling behind 5-3. Caris LeVert (10p) and Justin Holiday (8p) would team up to score as many points as Chicago in the period. The largest lead for the blue in gold in the quarter was 18. Defensively, the Pacers held the Bulls to one of ten beyond the three-point line in the first quarter.
Unlike the Pelicans, the Bulls would not go away. They would chip away at their deficit and cut it down to eight at 36-28 with 8:40 to go before halftime. Indiana would counter with a 10-2 run to extend their lead back to 16. The duo of Zach LaVine (12p) and Damar DeRozan (8p) would account for two-thirds of the points for the Bulls in the quarter. Indiana had seven players score in the quarter, but it was Malcolm Brogdon pacing Indiana with nine as the Pacers outscored the Bulls 67-46 at the halfway point.
In the third quarter, the offensive woes for the Chicago Bulls resurfaced just like the first quarter, allowing the Indiana Pacers to push their lead to as much as 31 points at 87-56. Indiana’s defense would hold the Bulls to 23.8% shooting from the floor in the quarter and make one of their five three point attempts. The rookie for the Pacers in Chris Duarte (8p) was the leading scorer for Rick Carlisle’s team in the quarter.
Unlike the last two games for the Pacers, there was one starter to see some time on the floor in the fourth quarter despite leading by 28 in Domantas Sabonis (21p/11r/4a). During the final period, the Pacers would set a new season high lead at 35 points when it was 109-74 in the final seconds. That is now two straight dominating victories for the Pacers and perhaps their most impressive win of the season. Other notable performances tonight for the Pacers were Malcolm Brogdon (16p/7a), Justin Holiday (14p/4r), and Myles Turner (12p/10r/4b). The defense for Indiana held Chicago to 36.5% from the floor, 21.4% behind the arc, and less than 17 points in three of the four quarters.
Next up for the Pacers are the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 7pm EST on Wednesday. Coverage on Bally Sports Indiana and the Indiana Pacers Radio Network starts at 6:30pm if you cannot attend the game. If the Pacers can defeat the Lakers, then it would mark their first three-game winning streak this season.
