Indiana Pacers’ Bruce Brown (11) places up a shot in opposition to Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson (00) in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball sport, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photograph/Darron Cummings)
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana used its fast tempo and 3-point shooters to attract Utah’s protection away from the basket within the NBA on Wednesday evening.
Then the Pacers took full benefit of their measurement.
Aaron Nesmith scored 24 factors, Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner every added 22 and Indiana completed with 74 factors within the paint because it pulled away for a 134-118 victory over the Jazz.
“The offense we play, how briskly we play, it may be anyone on any given evening,” Nesmith mentioned. “It was simply a kind of nights.”
For the Pacers, there have already got been lots of entertaining nights this season, and tv celeb David Letterman obtained to witness this one in particular person.
The NBA’s highest-scoring staff has received three of 4 and topped 120 factors in 4 straight video games. Indiana had six gamers attain double figures once more together with Tyrese Haliburton, who had 16 factors — all within the second half — and 13 assists. Jalen Smith posted his first double-double of the season with 16 factors and 11 rebounds.
Utah was led by Jordan Clarkson, who had a season-high 33 factors. Lauri Markkanen added 24 factors and 9 rebounds for the Jazz, who misplaced their fourth in a row and fell to 0-5 on the highway.
However the loss was solely a part of Utah’s story.
Indiana Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith (23) places up a shot in opposition to Utah Jazz’s Talen Horton-Tucker (5) in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball sport, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photograph/Darron Cummings)
Earlier than the sport, the Jazz introduced beginning heart Walker Kessler, a first-team all-rookie choice final season, will miss not less than two weeks due to an injured left elbow. Medical doctors advisable Kessler keep away from all contact till he’s re-evaluated on the finish of the remainder interval, staff officers mentioned.
To compensate, first-year coach Will Hardy went with a three-guard lineup, giving two — rookie Keyonte George and Ochai Agbaji — their first begins of the season.
Whereas George had seven factors and 9 assists, issues didn’t work out as Hardy anticipated.
“I assumed we began the sport effectively, serving to our teammate who was guarding the ball,” Hardy mentioned after Indiana made 13 3-pointers. “Then as the sport went on, I assumed the specter of the 3-point shot impacted our protection and we began creeping out nearer and nearer to our personal man. We left teammates on an island and the Pacers began throwing it inside.”
Utah’s errors allowed Indiana to do just about something it needed offensively.
Turner dominated the center with a 20-point first half, serving to the Pacers erase an early 10-point deficit in taking a 67-60 halftime lead.
It was even worse over the ultimate 13 minutes. Indiana scored the ultimate six factors of the third quarter to take a 101-98 lead and prolonged the margin to 120-106 with 5:49 to play. That was it for the Jazz.
“Just about like I mentioned, teammates simply discovered me in the appropriate spot,” Nesmith mentioned. “And it’s the offense we play on a regular basis. I simply took benefit.”
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Jazz: End a four-game journey Friday at Memphis.
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Pacers: Head to Philadelphia for back-to-back video games Sunday and Tuesday.
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