Sunday, Nov. 27 at 4:00 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena
Game preview
The Indiana Pacers’ longest away stretch in 36 years will begin Sunday in the City of Angels.
Indiana (11-7) begins a seven-game road trip tomorrow at Crypto.com Arena against the Los Angeles Clippers (11-9).
The last time the Blue & Gold played this many straight road games was from February 27 to March 9, 1986. None of the Pacers’ current roster players were born yet and head coach Rick Carlisle was in his second NBA season. for the Boston Celtics in 1986.
On Friday, the Pacers faced off in a 128-117 win over the Brooklyn Nets at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
After trailing for almost the entire first 24 minutes, the Pacers outscored the Nets 40-23 in the fourth quarter to take their November record to 8-2.
In the fourth quarter, Pacers rookie Bennedict Mathurin — who leads all rookies as well as all bench players in scoring — had 16 of his 20 total points for the game. Mathurin dueled former NBA and Finals MVP Kevin Durant, who scored 20 of his last-quarter-high 36 points in the final frame.
Six different Pacers players scored in double figures in the victory, led by 26 from Buddy Hield, who hit five 3-pointers. Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who continues to lead the league in assists, also had another solid performance scoring 21 points to go with 15 dimes and zero turnovers.
While the Pacers finished with a win on Friday, the Clippers fell to the Denver Nuggets 114-104.
Los Angeles has lost consecutive games and is 6-4 in its last 10 games.
The Nuggets were able to go 64-52 at halftime which proved too much for the Clippers.
John Wall scored a season-high 23 points for the Clippers in the loss. The Clippers were without their two All-Stars, as Paul George and Kawhi Leonard sat out with injuries, along with Luke Kennard.
The Clippers have struggled to score this year, going a game-high 106.2. Despite the low goal tally, however, the Clippers are eighth-best in the NBA in team shooting percentage at 47.8.
Los Angeles has hung its hat on defense so far, ranking second in the NBA in defensive rating (107.6), third in opposing points per game (106.8) and fourth in field goal percentage. on the opponent’s field (44.6).
Last year, the Pacers and Clippers split games.
After the Clippers game, the Pacers will face the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday before traveling to Sacramento on Wednesday and playing Utah Jazz on Friday. The final stretch of road games will then include stops in Portland, Golden State and Minnesota.
Projected starters
Pacers: G-Tyrese Haliburton, G-Buddy Hield, F-Aaron Nesmith, F-Jalen Smith, C-Myles Turner
Clippers G-Reggie Jackson, G-Terrance Mann, F-Marcus Morris Sr., F-Amir Coffey, C-Ivica Zubac
injury report
Pacers: Andrew Nembhard – questionable (left knee bruise), Chris Duarte – out (left ankle sprain), Daniel Theis – out (right knee surgery)
Clippers: Paul George – out (sprained right hamstring), Luke Kennard – out (sprained right calf), Kawhi Leonard – out (sprained right ankle)
Last meeting
January 31, 2022: Despite missing seven players due to injury, the Pacers’ rookie trio of Isaiah Jackson, Duane Washington Jr. and Terry Taylor combined for 57 points in a 122–116 Blue & Gold win at Gainbridge Arena.
Isaiah Jackson led the way by recording his first career double-double, finishing with 26 points on 12 of 19 shooting while grabbing 10 rebounds. The Clippers were also understaffed, missing both George and Leonard in the game through injury.
The Pacers led 60-55 at halftime before a 14-5 run from the Clippers in the third quarter put the visitors back in front.
In the final frame, the Pacers used a 12-0 run to climb into double digits. From there, the Clippers never regained the lead.
Coffey led the Clippers with 27 points and Reggie Jackson added 21 as LA’s five-game winning streak came to an end.
Outstanding
- After Friday night’s games, the Pacers had the fourth best record in the Eastern Conference, behind Boston (15-4), Milwaukee (13-5) and Cleveland (12-7). Indiana hasn’t faced any of those teams yet, but is 9-4 against teams in the East.
- On the upcoming road trip, the Pacers will only face one team they’ve faced this season: Minnesota. The Timberwolves beat the Pacers 115-103 on Nov. 23 in Indianapolis.
- Pacers sophomore guard Chris Duarte continues to be sidelined with a sprained left ankle. He hasn’t played since November 4.
- The Pacers average the second-most quick break points in the NBA at 17.2 per game, the second-most blocks per game at 6.7 per contest, and the third-most assists per game. game at 28.3.
Broadcast information (TV and radio listings >>)
TV: Bally Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (secondary reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Tickets
After a seven-game road trip, the Pacers will return to Indiana to host Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Find tickets >>
