HOUSTON — When it rains it pours and the Indiana Pacers find themselves in a monsoon right now. They’ve already been without Victor Oladipo all season. Myles Turner has missed eight straight games with a sprained right ankle. Jeremy Lamb sat out for the fifth game in a row with a sprained left ankle and they had to play most of the game on Friday night in Houston without Malcolm Brogdon who left with a sore lower back.
That’s a tall order when you’re rolling into H-Town and James Harden and Russell Westbrook are waiting for you on the other end. Harden did what he always does as he exploded for 44 points leading the Rockets to a 112-102 win over the Pacers snapping their four game winning streak.
With that win Houston has won a season high sixth straight and James Harden has scored at least 36 points in five straight games. Indiana simply had no answer for that foolishness.
Hopefully, they’ll get Myles Turner back on Saturday when the Greek Freak rolls into town. Under the circumstances, the Pacers played with some heart having 6 players in double figures. Domantas Sabonis led Indiana with his usual double-double. Ole boy finished the night with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Doug McDermott came off of the bench with 18 as well. Aaron Holiday, TJ Leaf and TJ McConnell all finished with 12 points each. Justin Holiday dropped off 10.
Nate McMillan’s crew shot the ball well from the field at 45 percent but struggled from behind the arc shooting at only 24 percent. They also missed 6 free throws on the night. Ball movement was great as they finished with 24 assists but they just couldn’t overcome the marksmanship of James Harden.
It’s hard to beat a boy when he’s got semiautomatic and you’ve got a super soaker. Up next for the Pacers is Milwaukee at the crib. Stop me when I start lyin’!
