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INDIANAPOLIS — Point guard Andrew Nembhard gave the Pacers the lead with a tide-turning 3-pointer with 16 seconds to go and posted 22 points and eight assists in a dramatic 135-130 win over the Mavericks on Wednesday night in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers blew a 16-point lead but also came back from 11 points down and improved to 39-29, taking a full game lead over the Bucks for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Mavericks fell to 33-37.
Pascal Siakam had a critical steal late in the game to set up the Nembhard 3-pointer and he scored 29 points. Bennedict Mathurin scored 23. Forward Aaron Nesmith had 18 and forward Obi Toppin had 13. Forward P.J. Washington led the Mavericks with 26 points. Guard Jaden Hardy had 24 and forward Naji Marshall had 20.
Here are three observations.
The Pacers were in complete control of the game throughout the first half but saw their defense breakdown entirely in the second half and found themselves down 11 points with 6:08 to go in the game and had to rally back. They were still down 128-121 with 1:07 left but took the game back with a mad scramble led by defensive pressure.
Mathurin hit two free throws to cut the deficit to five, then guard Ben Sheppard got a steal in the backcourt for a layup that cut it to three. Washington missed a free throw on the ensuing possession and Mathurin hit two to make it a two-point game. Nembhard had a chance to get the Pacers within one with 26 seconds to go and he missed a free throw, but a trap led to the steal by Siakam, who hit Nembhard with a pass for a 3-pointer. Nembhard and Nesmith hit free throws to help put the game away.
The Mavericks were plenty short-handed already with Kyrie Irving (ACL tear) and Anthony Davis (abductor strain) among the long list of players dealing with long-term injuries and all-time great shooter Klay Thompson apparently got sick Wednesday and wasn't available either. The Pacers took advantage of the fact that all that firepower was missing and held the Mavericks to just 21 first-quarter points on 8-of-20 shooting, just 0.74 points per possession.
In the next two quarters, though, the Pacers found it hard to get a stop and the Mavericks found it remarkably easy to get to the rim. They scored just six first-quarter points in the paint, but had 14 in the second quarter and 22 in the third. The Pacers struggled to stop the Mavericks on drives down the lane and they were even worse at defending cutters, allowing for easy drives and dishes. They outscored the Pacers 74-67 in the second half
Siakam played in each of his first 107 since joining the Pacers in last year's January trade before missing Monday's game against the Timberwolves in Minnesota for personal reasons. In his return, however, it didn't take him long to find a rhythm.
Siakam scored 10 points in the first quarter alone on 4 of 5 shooting and by halftime he had 16 points on 7 of 9 shooting. He finished with 29 points on 11 of 16 shooting including 3 of 4 from 3-point range.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs. Mavs: Andrew Nembhard late 3 lifts Indiana to dramatic win
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The Pacers blew a 16-point lead but also came back from 11 points down and improved to 39-29, taking a full game lead over the Bucks for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Mavericks fell to 33-37.
Pascal Siakam had a critical steal late in the game to set up the Nembhard 3-pointer and he scored 29 points. Bennedict Mathurin scored 23. Forward Aaron Nesmith had 18 and forward Obi Toppin had 13. Forward P.J. Washington led the Mavericks with 26 points. Guard Jaden Hardy had 24 and forward Naji Marshall had 20.
Here are three observations.
Pacers win with wild rally
The Pacers were in complete control of the game throughout the first half but saw their defense breakdown entirely in the second half and found themselves down 11 points with 6:08 to go in the game and had to rally back. They were still down 128-121 with 1:07 left but took the game back with a mad scramble led by defensive pressure.
Mathurin hit two free throws to cut the deficit to five, then guard Ben Sheppard got a steal in the backcourt for a layup that cut it to three. Washington missed a free throw on the ensuing possession and Mathurin hit two to make it a two-point game. Nembhard had a chance to get the Pacers within one with 26 seconds to go and he missed a free throw, but a trap led to the steal by Siakam, who hit Nembhard with a pass for a 3-pointer. Nembhard and Nesmith hit free throws to help put the game away.
Pacers' defense breaks down after first quarter
The Mavericks were plenty short-handed already with Kyrie Irving (ACL tear) and Anthony Davis (abductor strain) among the long list of players dealing with long-term injuries and all-time great shooter Klay Thompson apparently got sick Wednesday and wasn't available either. The Pacers took advantage of the fact that all that firepower was missing and held the Mavericks to just 21 first-quarter points on 8-of-20 shooting, just 0.74 points per possession.
In the next two quarters, though, the Pacers found it hard to get a stop and the Mavericks found it remarkably easy to get to the rim. They scored just six first-quarter points in the paint, but had 14 in the second quarter and 22 in the third. The Pacers struggled to stop the Mavericks on drives down the lane and they were even worse at defending cutters, allowing for easy drives and dishes. They outscored the Pacers 74-67 in the second half
Pascal Siakam was excellent in his return
Siakam played in each of his first 107 since joining the Pacers in last year's January trade before missing Monday's game against the Timberwolves in Minnesota for personal reasons. In his return, however, it didn't take him long to find a rhythm.
Siakam scored 10 points in the first quarter alone on 4 of 5 shooting and by halftime he had 16 points on 7 of 9 shooting. He finished with 29 points on 11 of 16 shooting including 3 of 4 from 3-point range.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs. Mavs: Andrew Nembhard late 3 lifts Indiana to dramatic win
Continue reading...
