Pacers Lose First Game of the Season
The Indiana Pacers were handed their first loss of the season in Chicago last night, falling to 9-1. Derrick Rose returned after missing his last game with a hamstring injury, to help the Bulls defeat Indiana 110-94. The Bulls have now won their 4th straight game with some superb shooting from beyond the arc going 11-19. Rose had his best game of the season so far scoring 20 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. 18 of Rose's 20 points came from downtown, hitting six 3-pointers matching his season total.
The storyline of the game had to be the Bulls' stifling defense and the Pacers' porous defense. The Pacers were holding opponents to only 83.7 PPG at a 38.6% clip. The Pacers allowed the Bulls to score 110 points (50.6% shooting) which has been their worst performance of the season. Previously Indiana allowed a season high 91 points. The Bulls held Paul George, the league's 7th leading scorer (24.6 PPG) in check (12 Points).
What was the real reason the Pacers lost their first game of the season? Was it Indiana's poor play on both ends of the court, or was it the execution of the Bulls' squad who have now won 4 straight? It doesn't really matter too either team because either way, the Bulls come away with another victory while the Pacers are left to deal with their first defeat of the young season. Next up for the red hot Bulls are Michael Jordan's Bobcats at the United Center. Indiana Looks to rebound against the mess of a franchise, the New York Knicks at Madison square Garden.
By Steven Spector -11-17-13
