Missed opportunities early didn’t change the outcome for the Indiana Pacers in a loss against the Houston Rockets, but it did take away a chance to be in it late when the Rockets turned up their three point shooting and turned a competitive game into a blowout.
The Pacers led 27-22 after the first quarter thanks to their ability to force turnovers and block shots, but their defensive play didn’t translate into points. The Pacers left points on the board throughout the first, which really hurt when Houston began to go on runs.
The Rockets outscored Indiana 67-44 in the second and third quarters, but in the midst of that, the Pacers had the game tied early in the third and were as close as six halfway through the quarter.