The Pacers aren't the worst shooting team around the rim, but they looked like it last night, missing 20 of their 35 shot attempts at the rim.
Danny Granger and Brandon Rush combined to go 1-7 with a few of those coming early in the game which contributed to the Bulls pushing out to a big lead in the first quarter. Granger and Rush even combined for the difficult blown double, when Granger missed a heavily challenged fast break layup and then Rush was too strong with the folow.
For the season, the Pacers are shooting 57.7% at the rim which dips below the league average of 60.5%. But when shots at the rim are contested, I can't imagine any team shooting worse. Of course, that flashes my own bias since I've literally seen the bulk of those missed bunnies but it's gotten to the point that when the Pacers finishes a tough, contested shot at the rim, I'm pleasantly surprised. Still, in a 10-point loss like last night, missing out on a possible 40 points from around the rim can be maddening.
After the jump, plenty of links from the loss last night.
- Box score with highlights
- AP game report
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PACERS: Inside the Game: Bulls 120, Pacers 110
Bruno's Inside the Game report has all of the numbers, notes, quotes and highlights from the loss. -
Pacers stick to formula: big deficit, comeback, loss
Jeff Rabjohns reports on the Pacers following the same ol' script last night's loss. -
Chicago Bulls dump Indiana Pacers 120-110
K.C. Johnson reports on the Chicago Bulls turning the game into a cakewalk. -
Hot start by Chicago Bulls too much for Indiana Pacers in 120-110 loss at United Center
John Oehser recaps the Pacers loss last night. -
Bulls 120, Pacers 110: Pounding
Blog A Bull recaps of another wide-margined home victory for the Bulls. -
Pacers Notebook: Granger returns just as Dunleavy leaves
Jeff Rabjohns has more on Dunleavy missing the game and the young point guards lining up to play the Pacers. -
Rush sees more PT coming for the young guys
Jeff Rabjohns checks in with Brandon Rush on the young players getting some more burn. Unfortunately, JOB controls those minutes. -
New Orleans vs. Milwaukee - Recap
The Milwaukee Bucks come to town with Andrew Bogut playing some inspired basketball.