The Bad
Stopping the best player on any basketball team is is a challenge every game in the NBA, and today’s game was no different for the Pacers. Zach LaVine basically scored at will throughout the contest with the Pacers, ending with 42 points… He got going early, and didn’t slow down throughout the game.
A lot of scoring early.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 5, 2023
Zach LaVine: 15 pts (4-8 FG), 3 ast pic.twitter.com/y7Ih6eZRTH
LaVine is patient with the basketball, and he knows how to get to his spots on the court to make opponents pay. The Pacers tried different matchups and defenders, but nothing seemed to work. Lavine was a problem all game, and there wasn’t much the Pacers could do to stop him. On the flip side, the Pacers game plan appeared to be to limit other players and let LaVine do his thing, which they were pretty successful doing.
Boom Baby!
The player of the game has to be Tyrese Haliburton who made this game a classic Pacers thriller. Coming back from a late scratch in the previous game, Haliburton showed why he is an all-star by tearing up the court against the Bulls- 29 points, 11 assists, and 3 rebounds. The Pacers needed him to be the closer, and wow, did he deliver. Tyrese did his best Reggie Miller impression to put the game on ice at nearly the final buzzer.
https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1632516348877193216?cxt=HHwWgIC-jYm-7qctAAAA
76ers come to town tomorrow, which is a matchup that the Pacers always seem to struggle with. We will see if Myles Turner’s career year can keep up with the greatness of Joel Embiid. I’m sure the Pacers will be glad to be back home in Gainbridge Fieldhouse after a long road trip.
Indiana Pacers: 50 greatest Pacers players [2023 update]
The Indiana Pacers are a storied franchise, even though many casual NBA fans may not realize it. But back in the ABA days, the Pacers were a force.