Indiana Pacers Get Tamed by Charlotte Bobcats
November 2, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Kemba Walker (15) takes a shot and scores against Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) during the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 90-89. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE
Charlotte Bobcats (1-0) 90
Indiana Pacers (1-1) 89
I wanted to let this loss sink in before I started writing about it. Listening to the game, and hearing how the Pacers just never seemed into the game, I didn’t have much hope for a win. I figured they would pull it off because good teams beat the bad teams no matter the circumstances. This Pacers team is going to take a few weeks to get going and I wouldn’t be surprised if the games in the near future are like last night’s. It is quite a frustrating one as it’s against one of the worst teams in the league. But then again, it’s only game two of the season, and with the circumstances this Pacers team is facing, it is not that unbelievable. Fort his recap, I wanted to look at it from the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Good
The bench of the Pacers was great in this game. They kept the Pacers in the game, and even helped get them a lead. It felt like the starters were the ones who let this game slip away. I am surprised Coach Frank Vogel didn’t keep Tyler Hansbrough in as much as he was having a great game and finished up with 15 points and tied with Lance Stephenson to lead the team in scoring. That’s right, “Born Ready”, Lance Stephenson finished up with 15 points coming off the bench. That’s a bit of an encouraging sign as to what Lance can bring to this Pacers team. He had a few bad turnovers, but scoring 15 points on 6-9 shooting with 2-3 from three point range is something he can hang his hat on. If this bench continues to get that type of production from Hansbrough and Stephenson, then things will turn around and they’ll have a great second unit.
Bad
What an awful shooting night for both teams. The Pacers shot just under 40% from the field, and had a worse night from three point range finishing around 27%. This came after shooting 50% from three point land in Toronto on Wednesday night. The Pacers have to get somewhere in between to become that team that can make a three when needed. The Bobcats didn’t shoot much better, but get the win, so it is given some slack. Perhaps, a discouraging sign for the Pacers last night was the free throw shooting. They were just around 60%. But in a tight game, that might not do it. If you need free throws to win or seal a game, and you’re shooting that bad, will you be confident enough to sink a couple of free throws?
Ugly
The Charlotte Bobcats had not won a game in 23 tries. They were riding a 23 game losing streak from last season. Talk about rock bottom. They were just a few games away from the all time losing streak record, so you knew they would come out with some intensity. Kemba Walker put this team on his back as he torched George Hill all evening, and got 30 points in the Bobcats’ win. Hill still looks to be nursing that hip pointer injury, and that might be something to watch. Point guards will see how much they can take advantage of Hill, so guys will have to step up and help out on defense. The Bobcats get this win to get their season started, while the Pacers will play tonight against the Sacramento Kings in front of the home crowd. Nothing like the energy of the home building to shake off this ugly loss to the Bobcats.