NBA News Wire
Pacers 106, Pelicans 93
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
NEW ORLEANS — Forward David West and guard George Hill scored 17 points each as the Indiana Pacers won for the fourth time in five games with a 106-93 victory over the injury-riddled New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night at the Smoothie King Center.
The Pacers (21-33) led by as many 33 points in the fourth quarter and shot 53 percent for the game. By the time Indiana led 89-60 after three quarters, the five Pacers starters combined to shoot 24 of 38 from the field, 74 percent.
In losing their third consecutive game, the Pelicans (27-26) played without All-Star forward Anthony Davis (sprained right shoulder), forward Ryan Anderson (sprained right elbow) and point guard Jrue Holiday (stress reaction in lower right leg). All three may be ready to return after the All-Star break, but the Pelicans limped into the break, losing four of five and four straight at home.
In defeating the Pelicans for the eighth consecutive time, Indiana placed four players in double figures, including guard Rodney Stuckey with 16 and forward Solomon Hill with 12.
Luke Babbitt led the Pelicans with 15 points. The Pelicans have allowed at least 100 points in seven consecutive games and are 2-5 without Davis in the lineup.
The Pacers pounded the Pelicans 57-35 in the first half, leading by as many as 23 points.
Stuckey came off the bench to score 12 points in his first eight minutes, West added 11 on 5-of-5 shooting and Solomon Hill had 10.
Solomon Hill and George Hill combined to make all five of their 3-point attempts in the half.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, continued their abysmal offensive play, a carryover from the second half of a 100-96 loss on Monday night against Utah. With 35 first-half points, New Orleans scored only 79 points in its last four quarters.
Babbitt came off the bench to lead New Orleans with six points in the half, but the Pelicans committed 12 turnovers. The Pelicans starters were a combined 6 of 20 from the field.
NOTES: Pelicans PF Anthony Davis missed his second consecutive game because of a right shoulder sprain, and his status for Sunday’s All-Star Game in New York is up in the air. “He tried everything he could,” New Orleans coach Monty Williams said before Wednesday’s game. “He’s been in that training room every day, even before I get into the office. I told him, ‘You could get to Saturday and be 100 percent,’ and he’s earned the right to play in the (All-Star) Game. I don’t think anybody should take it away from him. … If he can play, I think he should.” … New Orleans reserve F Quincy Pondexter said he wants Davis to play in New York. “He more than deserves it,” Pondexter said. “Our whole team fully backs him.” … Indiana coach Frank Vogel led all NBA coaches in most technical fouls this season — nine entering Wednesday’s game.
