Pacers final score: Missed opportunities drop Pacers against Kings 108-106

The Indiana Pacers were unable to capitalize on their numerous second half opportunities, giving away a brief fourth quarter lead to lose their third straight. The Sacramento Kings lit up Indiana in the first half, scoring 64, and were able to maintain (and regain) their lead throughout the second half despite the Pacers winning the half 57-44.

The Pacers had three 20-point scorers, led by Monta Ellis, who had 21 points on 8-13 shooting. C.J. Miles and George Hill each had four three pointers, scoring 20 points. Hill had three early, leading to a lot of bricks in the second half, which seemed to follow a common trend for Indiana when they had chances to seize control of the game.

After erasing their 15-point halftime deficit, the Pacers matched defensive stops with missed shots, seeming to only hit shots when they allowed baskets. The Pacers not only gave away shots on the floor, but at the line as well, shooting 12-20 from the free throw line, including back-to-back misses by both Miles and Paul George.

George had another awful shooting night, going 5-19 and missing the last three shots he took to tie the game. George did play better all around with 10 rebounds, five assists, and four steals (with "just" three turnovers), but once again, the supporting cast could only get Indiana to a certain point, and George's struggles have kept Indiana from moving forward into the win column, with the Kings dropping the Pacers to their third straight loss.

Jordan Hill had another solid game off the bench, scoring 14, but the Pacers front line had no answer for DeMarcus Cousins, who had 25 points and 16 rebounds as the Kings had 64 points in the paint (though the Pacers defense held Sacramento to just 20 points in the second half). Sacramento also controlled the transition game, outscoring Indiana 21-10 in fast break points. Indiana also had no answer for former Pacer Darren Collison, who scored 24 off the bench.

The Pacers saw their home four game home winning streak come to a close, dropping them to 16-13 on the season, and temporarily into 8th place in the East. The Pacers hit the road, facing the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.