Though the Indiana Pacers got the better of the Chicago Bulls the last time they met at the United Center, tonight’s game was far less optimistic for the Pacers, as the Bulls managed to go up early and keep Indiana at arms’ length all night. The Pacers had a pair of one-point leads to open the game, but both proved short-lived.
Chicago had a response to each of Indiana’s lead, turning a one-point deficit into a three point lead, then four, then five, inching all the way up to seven in the first. The real gap in play came in the second quarter, with the Bulls gouging the Pacers, pushing their lead as high 17.