The Houston Rockets continued to begin the post Yao Ming era as they traveled to Conseco Fieldhouse to face the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers were looking to build on last year's strong end of season and competitive series versus Chicago in which they lost 4-1. Kevin McHale was trying to put his stamp on the Rockets who were looking to make a return to the playoffs.
The game started off sloppy and with no real flow as both teams settled for many perimeter jumpshots. Indianapolis native George Hill scored eleven in the first quarter to push the Pacers to a 22-13 lead. The Rockets shot just 4 for 18 in the quarter, including 0 for 8 combined for Kevin Martin and Luis Scola. The second quarter saw the Pacers bench pushed the lead to 17 behind the strong defensive effort of Dahntay Jones and shooting of Brandon Rush. Jones harrassed the Rockets wing players drawing three charges. Rush showed off a sweet shooting touch , scoring eight in the quarter including a pair of three pointers. The Rockets got the lead back to eleven by the half as Scola finally got going with a few offensive rebounds and mid range jump shots. At the half, Indiana led 46-35.
The Rockets continued to attack with Scola as their perimeter players struggled to score. Scola added another nine points in the quarter as the Rockets whittled the lead down to four at the end of the third, to 65-61. The Pacers played a sloppy third quarter, turning the ball over seven times and allowing the rockets to shoot 55% in the period. Scola paced the rockets with 20 points and 8 rebounds. The Pacers were led by Danny Granger and George Hill who both had 16 points.
The fourth quarter began with the Pacers extending the lead back to ten behind Rush and Jones adding to the Pacer bench advantage. The Pacer bench outscored the Rocket bench 33-9 for the game as Rush finished with 16. The Rockets came back with their starters and Scola resumed going to work on the inside, even with the much bigger Roy Hibbert defending him. Scola would finish with a game high 34 points but the Rockets would get no closer than four. The Pacers would close out the Rockets and win the game 92-84.
Other Scores
Utah 88 , Miami 99
Oklahoma City 107, New York 101
LA Clippers 90, Chicago 110
Phoenix 106, Memphis 92
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