A loss to the Sacramento Kings would have hurt more for the Indiana Pacers, but tonight’s loss to an improved Sac-Town squad still hurts.
The monarchy survived: The Indiana Pacers came up a point short of beating the Sacramento Kings on the road. Sacramento’s rejection of democracy notwithstanding, they deserved the win as Indiana was responsible for their own undoing as much as the Kings were responsible for keeping the Pacers from storming their castle.
Bojan Bogdanovic‘s shot with 4.6 remaining looked good, but it didn’t fall. A jump ball on the rebound breathed hope into the Pacers changes, but a missed jump ball — recovered by Darren Collison, one of the jumpers — benefitted the Kings as they held on for the win.
Ending the road trip 2-2 isn’t what the Pacers were hoping for, but considering the circumstances, breaking even isn’t the worst way to go. And a year ago, a loss to the Sacramento Kings would be a black-eye, even with Victor Oladipo out. These Kings, however, are a bit more feisty.
Remember when we called Bojan Bogdanovic inconsistent?
The Croatian led all scorers with 27 points and surprisingly with only two 3-pointers. Bojan Bogdanovic arguably only had one bad game all season and only three where he scored single digits.
Indiana needs Oladipo’s creation and clutch basket making, but Bojan shed the idea of his inconsistency this season as he’s been the Pacers second-leading scorer without some of the hills and valleys of a season ago.
Darren Collison giveth, Darren Collison taketh
Darren Collison’s 12 assists had the Indiana offense clicking — they only had a higher offensive rating with Tyreke Evans on the floor — but some of his late-game turnovers led to the loss, though pinning it entirely on him is lazy.
His six turnovers were balanced out by those assists as well as a pair of 3-pointers, but for as positive as Collison was last season, he regressed back to breaking even so far this season.
Keep passing Doug McDermott the ball
Doug McDermott is now averaging over 12 points a game since Indiana made of point of feeding him the ball. On Saturday night he was 5 of 8 from the field and 2 of 4 from deep on his way to a 14 point performance.
Making sure the opportunities continue when Oladipo returns and Evans moves back to the bench should remain a priority for the Pacers.
Remain confident, Myles Turner
Myles Turner recorded his third double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds. When he reacts and doesn’t think — something that often leads to waiting too long to shoot or pass the ball — the Pacers get what they need out of the 4th year player.
Turner silenced his doubters for now, but the quick thinking on offense helps keep the ball moving whether he ends up taking the shot or not.
The Pacers take a few days off before returning home to host the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday at 7 p.m.