NBA -- Pacers' losing streak extends to five
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 22 Mar 2015
CHICAGO -- With a playoffs berth on the line with just 13 games left in their roller-coaster season, the Indiana Pacers were planning to arrest a four game losing streak when they hosted a home game on Saturday night at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Unfortunately, the visiting Brooklyn Nets would not cooperate.
Seven-foot, 275-pound center Brook Lopez imposed his length and heft in the middle, scoring 27 points to lead the Nets to a pivotal 123-111 victory that sent the Indiana Pacers reeling to their fifth consecutive defeat.
The 26-year old Lopez, a veteran of six NBA seasons, made 11 of 14 field goals, grabbed four rebounds and blocked four shots to guide the Nets to their second win in as many games.
"I think we came out the way we knew we needed to. We all came out and tried to be aggressive. When the other team made a run, we responded," Lopez was quoted by the Associated Press.
Brooklyn point guard Deron Williams showed shades of his All-Star past, scoring, 17 points and six assists to help the Nets improve to 29-39. Joe Johnson netted 14 points and Jarrett Jack had 13 as five other Nets scored in double figures.
George Hill led Indiana with 18 points and nine assists. Solomon Hill finished with 17 while Roy Hibbert added 16 and six rebounds for the Pacers, who lost despite shooting 50 percent from the field (45 of 90), including a decent 8-of-23 fare from 3-point range.
The spiraling Pacers dropped out of the playoffs picture in the Eastern Conference with a 30-39 slate. The Nets are also out of the playoffs picture at 29-39, but they are just within one game of the Boston Celtics, who hold at 8th and last spot with a 30-38 card. (HDS)
Photo: George Hill's (L) team-leading 18 points wasn't enough to hold off the Nets, who beat the Pacers, 123-111, at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday night.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
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