(Sports Network) - The Indiana Pacers hope to rebound from a tough loss when
they entertain the winless Sacramento Kings tonight in the home opener at
Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Pacers fell victim to the Charlotte Bobcats last night, 90-89. The Bobcats
had the worst winning percentage in NBA history a season ago and were able to
snap a 23-game losing streak dating back to 2011-12.
Tyler Hansbrough and Lance Stephenson scored 15 points apiece off the bench to
lead the Pacers, who defeated the Toronto Raptors in their season opener.
David West finished with 14 points and six rebounds for Indiana, while Roy
Hibbert had seven points and seven rebounds.
"I just think we turned the ball over the last five minutes," Hibbert said.
"It's disheartening. We have to learn from it."
The Pacers shot just 39.8 percent and were inconsistent from the foul line,
making just 16 of the 27 freebies. They also committed seven of their 19
turnovers in the fourth quarter.
Indiana has won its last two home openers and will open a three-game road trip
to San Antonio, Atlanta and Minnesota following tonight's tilt. Pacers forward
Sam Young played sparingly before leaving with a right shoulder injury and is
day-to-day.
Sacramento will put the finishing touches on what has been an unsuccessful
three-game road trip tonight in Indiana. It lost the season opener to Chicago,
before suffering a 92-80 setback at Minnesota last night.
Isaiah Thomas scored 20 points, while Marcus Thornton contributed 15 points
for the Kings, who started 0-3 back in 2009-10 and got 11 points and four
rebounds from DeMarcus Cousins. Tyreke Evans had only six points, one game
after scoring 21 against the Bulls.
The Kings rallied from an 18-point hole, but fell short.
"We got up by five there, the momentum was on our side," Kings coach Keith
Smart said. "We just took some ill-advised shots. That's part of growing up
with a young team."
Kings forward John Salmons was back with the team following the birth of his
child and still needs time to get into playing shape, according to Smart.
Sacramento will return to California's capital for a three-game homestand
versus Golden State, Detroit and San Antonio next week.
The Kings won the only meeting with Indiana last season, a 92-88 home triumph
on Jan. 18. Sacramento has won the last two meetings against the Pacers, who
lead the all-time series, 40-35.
The Sports Network