The Los Angeles Lakers looked to get their first road win of the season in Indiana against the Pacers. After battling, but coming up short in Utah and Oklahoma City, the Lakers took on Paul George and co. in the third game of their four-game road trip.
1st Quarter:
D’Angelo started off using his size to make an 8-foot jumper over Jeff Teague, and a couple of possessions later Nick Young made a 21- foot jumper. Shortly after that Russell picked up his second foul and is forced to the bench, playing only 39 seconds.
Randle added a 3-point play to bring the Lakers within one, but the Pacers went on a run and pulled ahead 22-13.
The Lakers and Pacers went back and forth, and they eventually pull ahead to an 18-27 lead to end the first.
The Lakers allowed the Pacers to pull ahead because of their sloppy play and allowing the Pacers seemingly get to the line and into the paint whenever they want
2nd Quarter:
Lou started the Lakers off with a four-point play, made another jumper and then passed to Ingram for an easy bucket. The Pacers continued to get into the paint and to the foul line, however, which has killed the Lakers all season.
Myles Turner had a massive rejection of Tarik Black and retained possession and that would lead to a quick three-pointer on the other end.
The Pacers got the momentum and pushed the lead all the way to 16, but as has been the case so far this young season, the Lakers did not crumble and slowly chipped at the lead. A Deng offensive rebound and putback brought the Lakers within 11 at the half, 62-51.
3rd Quarter:
The Lakers had the excellent start to the second half that they needed, quickly going on an 8-0 run to bring the Lakers back within single digits.
Russell came out of halftime aggressive trying to get the ball moving and eventually taking Teague to the basket for a 3-point play to get the lead down to 5. Russell continued to make plays, particularly with his passing, finding Mozgov on the pick and roll. Unfortunately for Mozgov, he would take an elbow to the face from Teague and head to the locker room.
The teams continued to trade baskets as the Lakers stayed close. Things would get worse for Mozgov when he returned as he was poked in the eye. Mozgov was unable to shoot the free throws which ended his night per NBA rules. Pacers coach Nate McMillan had the choice of who would shoot in Mozgov’s place, choosing Metta World Peace who knocked down both free throws.
Overall the Lakers played much better this quarter and were able to cut the Pacers lead down to 84-79.
4th Quarter:
The Pacers and Lakers once again took turns missing shots. Clarkson scored the first points of the 4th quarter with a circus shot and then Larry Nance Jr. made a couple of plays, first a nice interior pass and then a nice mid-range jumper.
The Lakers seemed to keep hitting an invisible wall every time they cut the lead to 2.
The Pacers and Lakers kept pushing the pace going back and forth hitting jumpers as the game remained close. Willams finally brought the Lakers within one and with 3:10 minutes left in the game Nance Jr. put the Lakers ahead with a putback dunk.
The Pacers would then go to Paul George on three straight possessions and he delivered on all three to put the Pacers up three. Clarkson was denied at the rim and Russell missed a desperation three as the Lakers just couldn’t get over the hump in the end and would drop their third straight close game on this road trip.
Final: Lakers 108 Pacers 115