INDIANAPOLIS — Less than 48 hours after Victor Oladipo knocked down the game winning three-pointer to beat the Boston Celtics another heavy weight comes to town. This time it’s the Western Conference runner-up from a year ago and they’ve got star power. They roll in with CP3, The Beard and Melo comin’ off of the bench. When the smoke cleared Houston walks out of the joint with a 98-94 win by the hair of their chinny chin chin. However, before it was over Victor Oladipo went toe to toe with James Harden as they both finished with 28 points.
Houston jumped out of the ride shooting that thang though! They connected on 53 percent of their shots from the field as James Harden dropped 11 of his 28 points in the first quarter. The Rockets led 29-22 after one quarter. The Pacers shot at only 40 percent from the field and continued to struggle from the foul line shooting 60 percent in the opening quarter.
As the second period began Oladipo put his foot on the gas and led the Pacers to a 33 point quarter to get to the break up 55-53. He scored 16 of his 28 points in the first half.
Indiana outscored the Rockets again in the third quarter 20-16 to put Houston on their heels. However, the reigning league MVP wasn’t about to just lay down and go out like a sucker. It was a battle royale in the fourth quarter and with 36.1 seconds left to play Harden knocks down the tie-breaking three-pointer and then calmly hits four straight free throws to close out the Pacers.
The difference in the ball game has been the same story line all season long. The Pacers were out-rebounded and they were terrible from the foul line shooting only 67 percent. They were 20 of 30 from the stripe. If they would have simply hit their free throws they would have won the darn game. Houston knocked down 93 percent of their foul shouts. It’s simple math.
Along with Oladipo’s 28 points Sabonis dropped off 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Tyreke Evans and Bojan Bogdanovic each had 11. The Blue and Gold were on a three game winning streak before losing to the Rockets but they’re in action again on Wednesday night against the 76ers.
Talk about a great fan experience in a matter of five days. They will have played the Celtics, Rockets and 76ers from Saturday to Wednesday. I love this game and stop me when I start lyin’!