Starting Line-ups
Kings
- Luther Head
- Tyreke Evans
- Donté Greene
- Jason Thompson
- Samuel Dalembert
Reserves: Beno Udrih, Francisco Garcia, DeMarcus Cousins, Carl Landry, Omri Casspi, Darnell Jackson, Pooh Jeter.
Pacers
- Darren Collison
- Mike Dunleavy
- Danny Granger
- Josh McRoberts
- Roy Hibbert
Reserves: Brandon Rush, T.J. Ford, Jeff Foster, Tyler Hansbrough, Dahnty Jones, Solomon Jones, James Posey.
First Quarter Recap
The Pacers came out strong in the first 1:20 of the game, scoring the first six points of the game, all off of the break. After a timeout, the Kings regrouped and responded with an 11-0 run of their own. DeMarcus Cousins entered the game around the three minute mark of the quarter. Cousins was asked nicely to leave practice on Monday after what has rumored to be a run-in with Coach Westphal. The rookie responded with a nice right handed lay-in off the glass in his first opportunity. Roy Hibbert played extremely well in the first. After watching him play at Georgetown and over his first two NBA seasons, his physical transformation this season is pretty amazing to see in person. The third year center put up six early points, all in the paint but after the first quarter, the Kings led the Pacers by one.
Kings 23 Pacers 22
Leaders
Kings- Evans (7) Points; Dalembert (4) Rebounds; Evans/Head (2) Assists.
Pacers- Hibbert (6) Points; McRoberts/Dunleavy (2) Rebounds; Collison/McRoberts (2) Assists.
Second Quarter Recap
The second quarter belonged to the Kings Beno Udrih. After scoring a quick five in his three minutes of first quarter play, the reserve point guard tossed in another ten in the second to pace the Kings. The Pacers Danny Granger woke up in the second and added ten points of his own, including a big three pointer at the end of the quarter to tie the game. The Kings won the turnover battle in the first half but were out rebounded by three, 19-22. At the half, both Carl Landry and Jason Thompson have three fouls as does the tandem of James Posey and Josh McRoberts for the Pacers.
Kings 52 Pacers 52
Leaders
Kings- Udrih (15) Points; Dalembert (8) Rebounds; Evans (8) Assists.
Pacers- Granger (15) Points; four players tied (3) Rebounds; Hibbert (4) Assists.
Team Kings Pacers
FG% 52.5% 45.2%
Rebounds 19 22
Assists/TO 13/4 12/7
Third Quarter Recap
The Pacers got off to a fast start in the third, opening up a 15 point lead at the 7:25 mark. Granger and Hibbert led the way, scoring a combined 14 points before going to the bench for a rest at the six minute mark. The boo birds came out at the three minute mark when the Kings fell down by 19. Luther Head tried to keep the Kings in the game but missed consecutive three pointers that could have helped stem the tide. Beno Udrih returned to the game to stabilize the Kings, chipping in another five points to run his total on the night to 20 entering the fourth. Going into the final quarter, the Kings trail by 11 after being outscored 28-17 in the third and it could have been worse.
Kings 69 Pacers 80
Leaders
Kings- Udrih (20) Points; Dalembert (12) Rebounds; Evans (8) Assists.
Pacers- Granger (25) Points; Hibbert/Dunleavy (6) Rebounds; Collison (5) Assists.
Fourth Quarter Recap
The fourth quarter was Boogie time. The Kings big man scored a quick eight before exiting the game with five fouls. He returned later to add another field goal to push his total to 20 points, a new career high. Danny Granger continued to hurt the Kings, kicking in eight point of his own in the first six minutes of the quarter and finishing the game with 37. Second half turnovers plague the Kings again. After committing only four in the first half, they gave it up six times in the third and another four times in the fourth. The Kings also failed to move the ball in the second half, totaling only three assists in the third and fourth combined. The Pacers got timely shots from Darren Collison, including a nice floating jumper as the shot clock expired after the Kings had cut the lead to six. After falling down big in the third, the Kings fought hard and if a few balls had bounced their way, it might have been closer. Kings center Samuel Dalembert had his knee tendinitis flare up after he came out in the third quarter and was unavailable to finish the game.
Kings Lose!
Kings 98 Pacers 107
Leaders
Kings- Udrih (24) Points; Dalembert (12) Rebounds; Evans (9) Assists.
Pacers- Granger (37) Points; Hibbert (8) Rebounds; Collison (6) Assists.
Team Kings Pacers
FG% 44.3% 45.6%
Rebounds 47 41
Assists/TO 17/14 22/12
Player of the Game: Danny Granger. Granger is a big-time talent. The Kings had very little answer for the Pacers small forward and they tried just about everything possible. Granger scored 37 points on 12 of 19 shooting (3-5 3pts) and kicked in 7 rebounds as well.
The Difference Maker: Darren Collison. The second year point guard out of UCLA nailed the Kings for 17 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds. More importantly than the pure numbers, he hit big shots down the stretch to put the Kings away, scoring 7 in the final period.
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