Pacers missed last 3 pointer and lost to the Wolves
October 22th, 2006
Ricky Davis demonstrated outstanding dunks and played great game leading the team
INDIANA PACERS 109 : 111 MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
[ Pacers boxscore ][ Wolves boxscore ]
Sarunas Jasikevicius missed the 3 pointer at the last second of the game and Pacers were constrained to give Wolves best. Pacers were in the situation to win or lose, when the only one shot decided the winner. The ball was given to the best available shooter in the game at that time, but however Saras failed to hit it.
This was the 3rd loss for the Pacers at the preseason period and now have the record of 3-3. Tonight Timberwolves managed to revenge for the furious lost before the week at the Conseco Fieldhouse arena, when Pacers had a 12 : 0 run and celebrated the victory.
So the game started slowly, with careful attacks and good defense. But later both teams were just running and nothing else, so the 1st quarter finished with the 5 points advantage by the Wolves 29 : 24. The 2nd quarter was the brake for the Pacers, when managed to run 14 : 3 and finally tied the game at the score 47 : 47. Stephen Jackson was playing amazingly good at the second. He had 16 points before the halftime, but didn't appear at the second half. The quarter ended with the 1 point advantage by the Pacers.
After the halftime they tried to keep that play, that they demonstrated at the 2nd quarter and they did quite well. With the help by Shawne Williams and James White Pacers gained 5 points lead in the middle of the quarter and Jermaine O'Neal increased it to 7 after the lay up made, 75 : 68. Suddenly the worst things happened and Wolves had an incredible 16 : 0 run. They gained the momentum and scored very easy shots while Pacers couldn't do anything at all for the whole 5 minutes. Finally O'Neal ended that streak with the lucky shot and the quarter ended 77 : 84.
At the final quarter Pacers tried not to give up and close the Wolves' lead. That was not so easy task, because Kevin Garnett and Ricky Davis already felt their game and Mike James was also doing very well. And this quarter was almost better for Mike James, he was making points, dishing assists and doing other good job, organizing the team's attacks.
It was difficult for the Pacers without Al Harrington, Jamaal Tinsley and Marquis Daniels, which were placed at the IL for this game, to play at the 4th quarter, but they still managed to tie the game at the remaing of 30 seconds of the game. Big thanks to Shawne Williams, Jermaine o'Neal and Sarunas Jasikevicius, who made 2 important 3 pointers, which let to close the lead.
So the game is tied and one of the last attacks for the Wolves. Randy Foye was going at the basket and forced to be fauled. Therefore he made 2 free throws and left 9 seconds for the Pacers for the last attack, but the 3 pointer was not accurate by Jasikevicius and Minnesota TimberWolves celebrated the victory 111 : 109.
Coach Rick Carlisle was quite happy with some moments of the game and was happy that the game is improving day by day. Of course he was not so happy about the loss, but is not smart to blame Saras for that missed shot. This is just the preseason and the real fights will begin at the regular season. Carlisle was disappointed with the Orien Green. He was playing all the 3rd quarter and it was the main fault by him that he didn't manage to control the team play at the Wolves' 16 : 0 run. Hope he will do better in two left games against Bobcats and Jazz.
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