ORLANDO – The Indiana Pacers opened up play in the Orlando Pro Summer League with two distinctive halves of basketball. Unfortunately, the good half couldn't overcome the bad half in a 101-81 loss to Brooklyn at the Amway Center.
Tipping off the league in the 9 a.m. first game, the Pacers were down 7-0 early and 29-11 after the first quarter. It got worse in the second as the Pacers fell behind by as many as 32 points with 27 percent shooting and 14 first-half turnovers being the main reasons.
While things turned around in the second half -- outscoring the Nets, 54-45, shooting 47 percent with just seven turnovers -- the damage had been done.
Photo Gallery: Pacers 81, Nets 101 »
"I thought they took the fight to us instead of us taking it to them," said Pacers assistant coach Dan Burke, who is coaching the summer league team. "When you don't get back on defense, shoot 37 percent, and have 21 turnovers for 31 points, you're not going to win in any league. The second half we showed a much better fight, we showed we were willing and didn't quit."
The Pacers were led by Donald Sloan with 21 points. Jake Odum added 10 and Frank Gaines nine.
The Pacers, who played without Solomon Hill (sprained right ankle), return to play Monday against Boston at 3 p.m. (NBATV).
You can watch all the Summer League games live on NBA.com (subscription required).