If you didn’t know any better you would have thought that it was the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The buzz was NUTS and the crowd was crazy as Victor Oladipo made his season debut. He didn’t disappoint only scoring 9 points as he drained his only three pointer of the night with 9 seconds left in regulation to tie the game up at 100-100 to send it to overtime. The Pacers eventually got red hot in the extra period to close out the Bulls 113-106.
All around the NBA teams are honoring the Black Mamba with special tributes. It was no different in Indianapolis on Wednesday night. The Bulls won the opening tip and held it for 8 seconds. Then the Pacers got the rock and held it for an additional 24 seconds to honor the legend we all knew as Kobe Bryant.
Everybody and their baby’s momma, Uncle LeRoy and cousin Man-Man piled into Bankers Life Fieldhouse to see the season debut of Victor Oladipo. Ole boy hadn’t played in exactly one year and six days before taking the floor at the the 4:12 mark of the first quarter and the place went NUTS!!!
He was only scheduled to play 24 minutes and he was literally shut down at the 20 minute mark. The medical staff and trainers gave Nate the high sign at the end of regulation for Vic.
However, during regulation Oladipo took his time getting into the rhythm of the game. He didn’t force shots initially. He got his first two points on floater to put the Pacers up 23-18 at the 1:26 mark of the first quarter.
Surprisingly, he didn’t look timid as he went to the rack early. The two-time All-Star was only expected to play limited minutes because he’s in no game shape. The rest of the guys are in mid-season form and he hadn’t even had a training camp for crying out loud.
Indiana was very aggressive on the defensive end of the floor creating 5 of the total 18 Bulls turnovers by the 9:12 mark of the second quarter.
Vic returned to the the game at the 5:50 mark of the second quarter. It was obvious that he hadn’t played all season because his 3-ball was way off. He started the game 0-4 from behind the arc.
However, at the break the Pacers were still holding him down as they closed out the half up 55-51.
Chicago came out of the break and went on an 8-2 run to go up 59-57. Then TJ Warren, who lead all scorers with 25 points, heated up by knocking down some big buckets. Indiana scrapped their way back in. As both teams traded baskets in the fourth quarter there were several lead changes as they were knotted up at 84-84 with 8:23 left to play.
The Bulls started bringing the heat getting to the rack with vicious dunks etc. as they went up 94-90 5:34 left. They extended their lead to 98-92 as the Pacers looked to regain their composure.
Chicago, however, kept bringing the fire going up 100-93 with 3:39 left.
With less than a minute to play the Pacers lit the joint up with a Malcolm Brogdon steal and break away dunk to pull to within 3-points down 100-97.
After not being able to make a three-point shot all night. Oladipo finally drained one from Haughville to knot it up 100-100 to send it to over time.
Justin Holiday opened the overtime period with a 3-pointer falling out of bounds. Then Malcolm Brogdon dropped a three in the ocean to put the Pacers up 108-102 with 3:19 left.
Indiana’s defense came up big as they forced another turnover to get the rock back wit 2:29 left. After a couple of free Domantas Sabonis free throws. Malcolm Brogdon scored again to put the Blue and Gold up 113-106 with 1:16 remaining.
With 44 seconds left TJ Warren knocked down two more free throws to extend the lead to 115-106 and that was all she wrote.
The Pacers had six players in double figures. Warren’s 25 was followed by Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis’ 15. Sabonis dropped the usual double-double as he came through with 11 rebounds as well. Justin Holiday had 13 and both Jeremy Lamb and Goga Bitadze had 10 apiece. Up next for Indiana are the Knicks at home on Friday.
