Indiana Pacers use a balanced attack to script a 108-94 win over New Jersey Nets: NBA Recap
Barring their field shooting, the Indiana Pacers have looked impressive so far in this shortened NBA season. On Monday night, they continued their good form and collected their 4th win by downing New Jersey Nets 108-94.
It was a team performance and all the power players fired on the night. But more importantly, the Pacers shooting, which has been below average throughout was accurate.
The extra hours they spent in the practice sessions and in the video room, watching footages of their previous games, helped them big time.
"We had a film session this morning and I pointed out that we needed to move the ball around," Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. "I knew the guys got the message because all I heard was `Yup, yup, yup.' I told them that we're next to unbeatable when we share the ball, night in and night out. We shot well because we were sharing the ball. When you share the basketball and play for each other instead of yourself, you can be a pretty good team. That's what we preached today."
Pacers shot an impressive 52.6% from the floor including 61.9 % (13-of-23) from the downtown. The dished out assists comparison between both teams (26-15) also speaks for the improved performance from the Pacers.
Paul George was phenomenal and led the Pacers with 21 points on an accurate 5 for 5 from the long range. Danny Granger pounded 15, forced 6 rebounds and dished out 3 assists while David West accumulated 13. Tyler Hansbrough (12) and Dahntay Jones (11) were amongst the high scorers from the bench.
Deron Williams paced the Nets with a game high 22 points and 8 assists while rookie MaRshon Brooks, who showed shades of brilliance in the last game as well, carried the momentum with 21 points. Sundiata Gaines also had 12 points.
Pacers started the game with a 5-0 run and never trailed at any instance in the game. Williams kept the Nets in the hunt though and midway through the third frame, in tandem with Brooks, he helped the Nets slash the lead to just 5 points 65-60. However, the Pacers were just unstoppable tonight and capped the frame with a 12-4 run to put the game away.
The Nets never managed to recover from the deficit gave up the fight way before the final buzzer.
Nets coach Avery Johnson accepted after the game that the Pacers were difficult to contain on the night;
"They really were stroking the ball pretty good. We put out some fires, and then another one erupted."
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