Shooters go cold as Pacers lose
More highlights: Throwing it down | Steal and reverse | Denied
A tough shooting night from two key players sent the Indiana Pacers to a 80-69 loss to the New Jersey Nets in the Orlando Pro Summer League Tuesday night.
Josh McRoberts (3 for 18, 2 for 12 from 3-point range) and No. 1 draft pick Paul George (5 for 15, 0-7 from 3-point range) both struggled all night.
“We got a lot of open looks, we weren’t able to knock down shots,” said Pacers assistant coach Frank Vogel. “Josh had a tough shooting night, but that’s why he’s here. Shooting jump shots in an empty gym can’t replicate a summer league game. This game will help him improve his 3-point shooting.”
The Pacers fell behind early in the game but got their first lead in the second quarter behind Marcus Landry and Thomas Heurtel, who each had 5 points in the period. The Pacers took a 37-34 lead into the half but the Nets came back to lead by three at the end of the third and never trailed again.
The Pacers (1-1) were led by rookie Lance Stephenson with 15 points on 7 of 10 from the floor. McRoberts finished with 11 (with six rebounds and six assists), George 10 (with eight rebounds) and Magnum Rolle 9. Tonight (7:00 p.m.) the Pacers meet the Utah Jazz.
New Jersey was led by Terence Williams with 24, Damion James 21 and top draft pick Derrick Favors with 12.
