Indiana Pacers drop second end of back to back against Charlotte Hornets

The Pacers and Hornets battled on Saturday night in Indianapolis

The Indiana Pacers hosted the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night. It was the first meeting between the two teams during the 2023-24 season, and it was the second night of a back to back for the Pacers.

The Hornets had a few days off leading up to the game, so they were fresh. In a game featuring two teams in the top-five in pace this season, that rest advantage had the potential to change the game.

Early, both teams were flying up and down the floor. Obi Toppin had six quick points for the blue and gold, but the road team had answers. After five minutes, it was 12-9 in favor of the home squad.

Indiana kept that momentum going late into the frame as they made substitutions. Head coach Rick Carlisle praised his team's depth during his pregame press conference, and they proved him right early.

The Hornets surged to end the quarter, and the game was tied at 27 after one frame. Toppin led the way with eight points for the blue and gold.

The second quarter featured, ironically, a slower-paced game. There were a lot of missed shots, and neither team could go on a run. Charlotte was ahead halfway through the quarter.

Indiana brought their starting five back in with a little over eight minutes to go in the quarter, and they were down by two points at the time. But that group couldn't get control of the game back. Instead, the Hornets took over. They took a `10-point lead late in the quarter, and the Pacers were shooting 31.9% from the field at the time. They were 3/16 from long range.

Their offensive woes continued for the next few minutes, and they went into halftime trailing by eight at 54-46. Five points late in the half from Tyrese Haliburton kept Indiana in it.

The third quarter opened up with a Pacers explosion. After scoring 19 total points in the second frame, Indiana dropped 20 in 3:48 to begin the second half. Haliburton had 14 of those points by himself, bringing his total to 27 for the night with a lot of game to play. After a miserable second quarter, the Pacers jumped back into the lead.

Indiana's defense continued to struggle throughout the frame. But it didn't matter at all. They were unstoppable in the third. Haliburton couldn't miss as the offense came alive.

The All-Star guard scored 25 points by himself in the period. As a team, the Pacers scored 50, more points than they had in the first half. Their poor defense meant that they didn't take a huge lead, but they went from down by eight at halftime to up by four with 12 minutes to go.

The fourth quarter opened with Haliburton on the bench, and that allowed Charlotte to surge ahead. They reclaimed the lead early in the frame and were ahead with 7:01 to go. Haliburton came back in and instantly scored, though, and that gave the Pacers the lead back.

It quickly evaporated, and with five minutes to go, the Hornets were up by eight. But the Pacers responded with a quick 6-0 run, and the game was close again. It was a back-and-forth final quarter.

Charlotte originally grabbed the lead back with 6:38 to go and held it for much of the closing stretch. Despite the Pacers pushing closer for the final minutes, the Hornets kept answering.

With 37.4 seconds to go, the blue and gold had the ball down by three points. They had a chance to tie the game up late.

They took advantage. Hield caught the ball on the left wing and drove to the basket, where he was fouled. He made the shot and had a chance at a three-point play.

The veteran guard missed the free throw, and while Indiana was graced with an extra possession after a failed rebound attempt, they gave the ball away. Charlotte retained possession up by one with 21.8 on the clock.

The Pacers forced a turnover and had a chance to win it at the buzzer. But they didn't get a shot off after excellent defense by LaMelo Ball. The Hornets held on to win 125-124 despite an incredible third quarter from the Pacers.

Haliburton finished with 43 points, which tied his career high. Hield had 19 while Turner contributed 14. Indiana wasn't consistent enough on the offensive end in this one.

They are now 3-3 and next play on Monday when they host the San Antonio Spurs.

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