Danny Granger scored a season-high 33 points for the Indiana Pacers, who took down Sacramento Kings at the ARCO Arena, 107 – 98. Bringing 10,927 basketball fans to its feet, the Pacers used a strong third quarter to pull away the
game from the host team.
High-Flying Players
Three players of the Pacers joined Granger in double figures. Darren Collison posted 17 grasped by 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Roy Hibbert added 16 and Solomon Jones contributed 12 for the Pacers.
Beno Udrih led the Kings with 24 points in the loss. DeMarcus Cousins did all he could beside being kicked out of Monday’s practice, responded with a career-high 18 points. Tyreke Evans had 16 points and nine assists.
First Quarter
In the first quarter, both teams played sloppy basketball, but the Kings slowly began to build their lead, taking a 23-22 lead into the second. The Kings did not play well offensively in the first, but once again, they found a
way.
The King's biggest lead of the quarter was five points. Tyreke Evans of the Kings leads all the players with 7 points.
Hibbert led the Pacers with 6 points.
Second Quarter
In the second quarter, Indiana got it going offensively, and used that, slowly scoring 30 points in the second quarter, all the while tying the game at 52 – 52.
Third Quarter
Tied at the half, the Pacers came out strong to start the third quarter. The Pacers limited the Kings to just 17 points in the third quarter and led 80 - 69 heading in to the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
The Kings fought hard to make the score a respectable one, cutting the lead to six points early in the fourth quarter. However, Collison made a runner in the lane and Josh McRoberts hit two free throws to put the Pacers ahead by
10 points with less than a minute to play.
Turning point
Despite the tie at the halftime, the Indiana Pacers’ controlled every aspect in the third quarter, limiting turnovers, making shots, and playing tenacious defense and make it a frustrating second half for the Kings. The Pacers
scored the first six points and used a 17-1 run to take 11 points lead, 80 – 69.
The victory was the fourth in five games for the Pacers.
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