Once again, a lack of size caused major problems for the Indiana Pacers’ defense, allowing 70 points in the paint in a loss to the Chicago Bulls. As hard as Indiana fought to stay in this game, Chicago always had a shot at the rim at their disposal as a run-stopper, led by 36 points from Nikola Vucevic.
Though the end result was a loss, the totality of the outcome was far better than the 10-0 start by the Bulls would suggest. Chicago torched Indiana’s defense in the first quarter, piling on 40 points, but Caris LeVert would do everything his power to keep the Pacers afloat, scoring 22 on 10-11 shooting to help the Pacers to 33 points.