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Game Rewind: Pacers 100, Timberwolves 96

Game Recap

     

For the first time since Nov. 24, the Indiana Pacers (9-19) picked up a win away from Bankers Life Fieldhouse, holding off the Minnesota Timberwolves (5-21) on Sunday night at the Target Center, 100-96. The victory snapped an eight-game road losing streak for the Pacers, their longest such streak since they dropped nine consecutive road games from Dec. 1, 2010 to Jan. 8, 2011.

"We've been out here working hard every day, every game plan, just trying to play the right way and get a win," Pacers guard C.J. Miles said postgame. "We were able to come out with one tonight. It was a little bit of a dog fight but we got it."

David West hit the game-winning jumper with 34.3 seconds remaining, breaking a 94-94 tie. Indiana led for the vast majority of the game, extending the margin to as many as 19 points in the third quarter.

But the Timberwolves battled back, ultimately taking a 90-89 lead on Mo Williams' 3-pointer with 2:50 to play. Roy Hibbert scored on the ensuing possession to put the Pacers back in front, but Williams answered with another jumper.

C.J. Miles then swished his fourth 3-pointer of the night to give the Pacers a 94-92 lead before two free throws by Gorgui Dieng tied the game once again with 1:36 to play.

After West's jumper, the Timberwolves had another chance to tie or take the lead, but Andrew Wiggins stepped out of bounds on the baseline with 22 seconds left. Miles then knocked down a pair of free throws to make it a two-possession lead and effectively seal the victory.

Miles led all scorers with 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting. Hibbert, who went scoreless in Saturday's loss in Denver, finished with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting and eight rebounds.

"It's been a rough couple weeks since my coming back from (my sprained ankle) injury," Hibbert said. "My teammates were very supportive and want to see me succeed and I try my best to return the favor."

West added 14 points for Indiana, while Donald Sloan and Luis Scola each scored 10.

Williams had 24 points and 10 assists to lead the Timberwolves, while second-year forward Shabazz Muhammad contributed 21 points and six rebounds.

The Pacers' Saturday shooting slump didn't carry over to the first half of Sunday's contest. One day after shooting under 31 percent and scoring just 73 points in a loss in Denver, the Blue-and-Gold shot 55 percent in the first two quarters in Minnesota to take a 52-38 halftime lead over the Timberwolves.

Indiana started the night strong, jumping out to a 14-5 lead. The T-Wolves rallied to tie the game at 17, but Miles' 3-point shot at the end of the first quarter put the Pacers back in front.

After exchanging baskets in the first few minutes of the second quarter, the Pacers rattled off a 12-2 run to take a double-digit lead. Scola led that charge, scoring eight points in 2:22.

The Timberwolves eventually climbed within four points before Indiana strung together another 10-0 run to ensure they headed into the locker room ahead by a comfortable margin.

The Pacers quickly extended the lead in the second half, going up 61-42 on C.J. Watson's layup just over two minutes into the third quarter. But the Timberwolves responded once again by reeling off a 17-1 run over the next five minutes as the Pacers missed six straight shots and committed three turnovers. The contest remained tight the rest of the way.

After finishing a three-game Western Conference road trip, the Pacers return home to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Tuesday night to host the New Orleans Pelicans.

Inside the Numbers

Indiana shot a season-high 50 percent from the field, just one night after setting a new season low against Denver (31 percent).

The Pacers won despite being outrebounded, 43-36. Prior to Sunday, Indiana was 0-10 this season when losing the battle of the boards.

Miles has now scored in double figures in six of his last seven games. The one game in that stretch in which he failed to reach double figures (Dec. 12 in Toronto), he only played 13 minutes due to a knee contusion. Prior to this stretch, Miles had only scored more than six points in one of his previous 10 contests.

Sloan dished out seven assists, matching his season high. He has accomplished the feat five times on the year.

Shooting guard Rodney Stuckey battled foul trouble and finished with seven points on 3-of-8 shooting, one night after managing just four points against the Nuggets. Prior to Saturday's loss, Stuckey had scored in double figures in nine straight games and 14 of 16.

Muhammad has been one bright spot in an otherwise tough season for the injury-riddled Timberwolves. The second-year guard topped 20 points for the fourth straight game on Sunday and is averaging 18.3 points per game in December.

You Can Quote Me On That

"Guys have been sharing the basketball well and a lot of times not getting the payoff with a high level of shot making, but guys were really moving it well tonight and were able to create shots for each other." -Pacers head coach Frank Vogel on the team's ball movement

"We were just trying to show our fortitude, trying to win games under difficult circumstances. They're a good team, they're the future of the NBA. They have a lot of young, talented players and we're just happy to get a win." -Hibbert

"Home team on their home floor, they made some shots, guys got going a little bit, they got some dunks and that gets young guys going, but we withstood the run and made some plays down the stretch." -Miles

"It was just an action where we had Roy (Hibbert) posted on one side as an option and a wide screen for David (West) on the other side, thinking of a curl and a bounce pass or pocket pass. We were able to get the ball to David and he made a big play on Thaddeus (Young)." -Vogel on the West's game-winning shot

Stat of the Game

The Pacers scored 100 points in Sunday's victory, getting an even 50 points from their five starters and another 50 points from five bench players.

Noteworthy

  • Indiana now leads their all-time series with the Timberwolves, 32-17. The T-Wolves maintain a narrow 13-12 edge in Minnesota.
  • With the win, the Pacers improve to 2-6 on the second night of a back-to-back. They are just 1-7 on the first night of a back-to-back.
  • The Blue-and-Gold are undefeated on Sunday, although that feat isn't quite as impressive once you realize that they hadn't played a game on that day of the week prior to beating the Timberwolves.

Up Next

The Pacers return to Indiana next Tuesday (Dec. 23) to host Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans. Plenty of good seats still remain for the game. Plus, pay zero fees for any tickets purchased online through December 31, courtesy of FOX Sports Indiana. Find Tickets »