The Pacers shot 66.7 percent and outscored the Minnesota Timberwolves by 23 points in the second half to earn their first road win of the season, 130-107.
Their field goal percentage (66.7) was more than one percent better than their previous franchise-high: 65.3 percent, posted in Dallas back on January 5, 1987!
It was also the highest percentage ever recorded against a Tom Thibodeau-coached team, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Both teams were without their top option, the Pacers without Myles Turner (center) and the Timberwolves without Jimmy Buttler (illness).
A deeper dive into the numbers…
- They shot 80 percent in the third quarter, making 16 of 20 attempts. Three of their four misses were from beyond the arc.
- They shot 68 percent or better in three of the four quarters. (Just 47.8 percent in the second frame.)
- Of the ten Pacers who attempted a shot, all but Lance Stephenson finished 50 percent or better from the field.
- Domantas Sabonis, starting in place of Myles Turner (concussion), was perfect, 7-for-7, for the second time in four games.
- Sabonis also recorded his second consecutive double-double – with 15 points and 11 rebounds. He had two in 81 games last season, his rookie year in Oklahoma City.
- Darren Collison accounted for 16 of the Pacers’ 31 assists. He posted his second double-double of the season (15 points and 16 assists). Collison hasn’t had more than four double-doubles in a season since his rookie season, the 2009-10 season (14).
- Backup point guard Cory Joseph provided a big lift off the bench: 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting. His five 3-pointers (on six attempts) was a new career high.
- Over their first four games, the Pacers have scored 130 points or more twice. They reached 130 points twice all of last season, and both games went into overtime.
- Bojan Bogdanovic scored a season-high 19 points, finishing in double figures for the third time in four games.
- T.J. Leaf is already playing with great confidence. He sank four of his first five shots and netted 11 points.
- Al Jefferson was 4-for-4 with eight points; he was a plus-9 in 18 minutes.
- Without Turner, the Pacers dominated the board, 42-27.
- They played with great pace, and outscored the Timberwolves 18-6 in fast break points.
- While shooting 66.7 percent from the floor, the Pacers held the Timberwolves below 50-percent shooting (48.8).
- Nate McMillan was assessed his first technical foul of the season.
[Photo: Frank McGrath/PS&E]