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Game Rewind: Pacers 89, Timberwolves 107 (Preseason)

Game Recap

The Minnesota Timberwolves used a 15-0 run to close the first half to open up a double-digit lead over the Pacers on Tuesday night. Indiana (2-4 in the preseason) never got back within single digits after halftime as Minnesota (3-2) cruised to a 107-89 win over the Pacers at the Target Center.

Indiana had gone on a 9-1 run of its own midway through the second quarter, tying the game at 37 on George Hill's pull-up jumper with 4:09 remaining in the half. But Anthony Bennett converted a three-point play on the next possession to start Minnesota's run, during which the Pacers missed five shots and had three turnovers.

The T-Wolves took a 52-37 lead into the locker room. They extended the margin to as many as 26 points after another 10-0 run early in the third quarter.

To make matters worse, Pacers point guard George Hill went down with a left knee contusion midway through the third. Hill left the game and did not return.

The Pacers were already without three regular rotation players heading into Tuesday's contest: David West (sprained ankle), Rodney Stuckey (sprained foot), and C.J. Watson (sore foot). Watson is expected to be ready for Opening Night on Oct. 29, but West and Stuckey's recovery times are still undetermined.

Minnesota shot 51 percent from the field on the night, while the Pacers made 42 percent of their attempts. Indiana also had 21 turnovers and missed 11 free throws on the night.

Donald Sloan led Indiana with 19 points and five assists. Chris Copeland added 17 points, while Roy Hibbert had 14 points and nine rebounds. Hill had 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists in just over 21 minutes before his injury.

Anthony Bennett led five Timberwolves in double figures with 17 points.

Inside the Numbers

The Blue-and-Gold were 9-for-24 from 3-point range. Sloan was 3-for-4, while Copeland was 3-for-6. Damjan Rudez went 2-for-6 from long range after starting the preseason 3-for-19 from beyond the arc.

Hibbert's 14 points and nine rebounds were both his highest totals of the preseason. Hibbert played a preseason-high 29 minutes after playing 26 and 23, respectively, in his past two games.

C.J. Miles fouled out in just 19:36. Miles was 2-for-9 from the field and finished with five points and two turnovers.

Getting his first start of the preseason, Luis Scola had five points in 26:12 on 1-for-5 shooting.

Ricky Rubio chipped in 16 points for Minnesota. Mo Williams added 13 points and nine assists, though he also had six turnovers. Chase Budinger added 12 points, while Kevin Martin had 10.

Stat of the Game

Indiana was outscored 32-6 over an 8:26 stretch spanning the end of the second and start of the third quarters.

Noteworthy

  • Chris Copeland started the game at small forward, but also saw extensive time at power forward with West sidelined.
  • Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins, the top pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, sat out Tuesday's game with a back injury.

Up Next

The Pacers head to Charlotte to take on the Hornets in their final game of the preseason on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. ET. It will be Indiana's first meeting with Lance Stephenson, the former Pacers guard who signed with Charlotte in July.