70
84
Wednesday, October 10 at the Fargodome in Fargo, ND
Game Rewind (Preseason): IND 70, MIN 84
by Scott Agness
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Game Rewind
Indiana's first tune-up of the season didn’t go quite as hoped. Minnesota scored the first bucket of the game, led the majority of the way and topped Indiana 84-70. In their first preseason game of the 2012-13 campaign—held in Fargo, North Dakota—the Pacers struggled mightily offensively, both in taking care of the ball and scoring.
Kevin Love scored the first bucket of the game for Minnesota, who never trailed in the final three quarters. Their largest lead was 20.
The Pacers never scored more than 19 points in a quarter and they never seemed to get comfortable together on the court, partly because lineups were a bit out-of-sorts. Danny Granger sat out Wednesday, as expected, with a tender left knee. Head Coach Frank Vogel also opted not to play guard George Hill and forward David West. It’s worth noting that both Hill and West have fully participated in camp and are uninjured.
Inside the Numbers
Paul George scored a game-high 16 points for the Pacers and grabbed 6 rebounds. Trouble is, George turned the ball over a team-high five times and fouled out after 22 minutes of action. Roy Hibbert was also in foul trouble—whistled for five in 20 minutes—as he had a quiet five point, four rebound evening.
The Pacers were beat on nearly every stat line: They were outrebounded by three (42-39), turned it over 25 times, and shot just 35-percent from the field. That combination hardly ever translates into a victory.
Not only did Minnesota win the rebounding-battle, they also controlled the paint, outscoring Indiana 42-20.
Fifteen Indiana players played and all but Blake Ahearn registered a point. Scoring just 70 points, the Pacers were nearly 28 points below their average output last season (97.7 points per game). The Pacers went 19-of-25 at the charity stripe (76%).
Meanwhile, four Minnesota players finished in double-figures with Nikola Pekovic and Chase Budinger each tallying 14 points. All-Star power forward Kevin Love contributed 12 points and 8 rebounds in 27 minutes of action. Brandon Roy, who played in his first game since retiring last season, looked sharp in adding 13 points and three rebounds.
Quoteworthy
"I thought we played a little sloppy. The first preseason game is typically that way, especially when you’re playing guys who aren’t used to playing with each other. Three of our starters were out, so the bench guys were playing in combinations they weren’t used to." — Frank Vogel
"They beat us to a lot of loose balls and second chance points—they got a lot of rebounds. They did what they had to do. Tonight was their night, but we’ve just got to go back watching film and go back at it next game." — Roy Hibbert
Stat of the Game
Paul George was 4-for-10 from the field and scored 16 points, while not one other Indiana player made more than two field goals.
Noteworthy
Official attendance was 9,163 at the Fargodome, the highest attended basketball game there in 15 years and less than 200 shy of capacity. ... All 15 Pacers players that played recorded at least one item on the stat sheet. ... Indiana’s Gerald Green, Blake Ahearn and Sundiata Gaines all have played for Minnesota at one point in their careers. ... Lou Amundson, who was with Indiana last season, had two points and two rebounds in just seven and a half minutes. ... Indiana’s starters: Augustin, George, Green, Hansbrough, West.
Up Next
Indiana faces Minnesota once again, this time at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday, October 12th at 7:00 p.m. (1070 The Fan) ( Buy Tickets » ). It will be second of seven preseason games and one of three preseason games at the Fieldhouse. The Pacers open the regular season Oct. 31st in Toronto.
