'Locked in from the jump': Pacers contain Lakers to clinch first winning record in four years
Indiana closed the game on a 17-5 run to secure the win. They held the Lakers to a season-low 90 points, got key contributions from Aaron Nesmith and T.J. McConnell, and entertained the sellout crowd.
The Lakers shot 56% and scored 150 points on the Pacers just five days ago in Los Angeles.
The same team was held to 41% shooting and a season-low 90 points (just their fourth time this season below 100) in a rematch Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The same team that attempted 43 free throws on Sunday took just 18 five days later.
The same team that averaged 37.5 points per quarter last meeting recorded quarters of 24, 25, 23 and 18 points.
The same team that had four players with 25-plus points failed to have one player with 25 in this one.
It was a completely different game this time around, and that was a very good thing for the Pacers. Over the final eight minutes, they outscored the Lakers 17-5 en route to a 109-90 win in front of the sellout crowd.
It’s their 42nd win of the season, securing a winning season for the first time since 2020.