Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets 114-81
The Indiana Pacers have been one of the teams to watch out for the entire season but have recently went through a bad period, losing back-to-back games for the first time this season. The challenge on Friday saw Indiana in danger of losing yet another important game as they faced the Houston Rockets (17-9).
Dwight Howard
When the game was over, Pacers were back on top and had arguably the most complete game they had all year, with Paul George getting 24 points and 9 rebounds. As Lance Stephenson got another 16 and 6 assists, the defense made sure that Indiana would maintain its lead and the game finished 114-81. The amazing shut down left Houston struggling to get any points in. Indiana is now again the leader in the Eastern Conference, with Miami Heat right on its tail as only one win separates the two.
Despite some saying that Indiana Pacers only had a good start because of the struggling teams in the Eastern Conference, the team remains one of the top contenders for the NBA title next year and have already showed that they can hold their own against the top teams in the West by taking down the Spurs, Clippers and the Rockets. And the fact that they won the most games in the conference is not the only thing that makes the run so impressive; it is the way they won them.
Strong defense to hold Houston at bay
The Houston offense did its best on Friday as center Dwight Howard got 19 points and 12 rebounds, but Indiana controlled the game much more than most people expected it to and showed an amazing defense. When the game started, the Rockets had the second scoring average and were third in field goal percentage. Once the game was over, Houston had shot 38.1 percent in Indianapolis on Friday for its season-low scored points and the fourth straight loss against Indiana.
James Harden is the No. 6 scorer in the league and even he wasn’t able to get things going for the Rockets, only getting 3 of 14. The loss means that the Rockets are now a bit further away from the San Antonio Spurs and will need to improve if they wish to keep up with the division leader.
Houston coach Kevin McHale declared after the game that they had no answers for the Pacers and that the better team won.
It is safe to say that Indiana also had more motivation on Friday. Coming off two stumbles earlier in the week, the Pacers were determined to get back on track and the Rockets were just the ones to get the effects of that motivation.
Indiana set different season records for the team as they finished with the most 3-pointers (12), highest point total (114), largest victory difference (33) and second best field percentage (53.1).
All-Star Danny Granger back on the field
Danny Granger
Danny Granger got to play on Friday night after being away for the entire season due to a strained left calf. When he was finally given the chance to go on the field in the first quarter, the Indiana fans showed their respect with a standing ovation. Granger took a while to get started into the game and got his first three-pointer in the fourth quarter, joined by a chant from the crowd.
The All-Star player also missed most of the games last season, only playing in 5, due to an injury on his left knee. He is now healthy and despite being a bit rusty, he should give Indiana even more potential in the offense on their way to the title.
