Brogdon Hits the Game-Winner, Pacers Defeat Pelicans after OT, 118-116

The Indiana Pacers posted a big win on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans, 118-116, having to go through overtime to beat the hosts. Malcolm Brogdon’s floater with 1.7 seconds before the end of the OT was the crucial moment of the match.

This was arguably the most intense game of the year, with the teams constantly coming after one another, taking and losing the lead, and trading hits throughout 48 minutes.

Indiana prevailed because of one basket, scored by Malcolm Brogdon, 1.7 before the end. The guard took the ball, fired a nice floater to close the event, delivering the fifth victory for the Pacers this season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CQ9yBSZMQQ

With under half a minute to go until the regulations, New Orleans had the ball and a six-point lead, but Victor Oladipo’s burst erased all that. The Pelicans missed a three-pointer (JJ Redick), with Oladipo drilling a deep three. Moments later, he stole the ball from Lonzo Ball, and Myles Turner added another three to level the score. It was a shock for the home team, while on the other side, a huge momentum-shifter for the Pacers.

“The game is never over. You just have to give 110 percent all the way until the very end. It was a great play, a huge shot by Myles. We had some huge plays down the stretch,” said Oladipo, following the game.

He ended the night with 25 points, six assists, and five rebounds, hitting five threes as well. Brogdon was right behind with 21 points and 11 assists. The former Milwaukee Bucks’ guard grabbed seven boards, and spent the game-high 46 minutes on the floor.

Domantas Sabonis posted a double, 19 points, and 11 rebounds, assisting teammates seven times. Turner had 17 points and three blocks. In general, all the Pacers players contributed, stepping up when needed.

On the other side, Brandon Ingram dropped 31 points, game-high, with a lousy shooting percentage, 12-of-31. He would add 8 assists and two blocks too.

“I’m not discouraged,” Ingram said. “Anybody can win or lose on any given night. So, we believe in our guys. We’re not discouraged. We’re ready for the next test.”

Zion Williamson notched another double-double with 24 points and 10 boards, Lonzo Ball scored 18 buckets with 6 assists and rebounds. Eric Bledsoe delivered a double-double, 12 baskets, and 11 rebounds.

The Pelicans outrebounded the guests, 67-47, but couldn’t properly utilize the aerial advantage. The big problem for Stan Van Gundy’s side were three-pointers, as they made just nine in 27 attempts. On the other side, the Pacers had 19 in 45, many of them with the game on the line.

Hosts couldn’t close the match in the final phase, even though they had a 10-point advantage. Whether it is that lack of experience or maybe lack of chemistry with several new guys in the lineup, we don’t know, but this isn’t the first time NO drops an easy win.

Van Gundy is still adjusting to the new team, and vice versa, so the 4-3 record isn’t that bad for the Pels. They now await the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday and the Charlotte Hornets two days later before hitting the road for seven straight matches.

For Indiana, this was only the second match on the road this year, and in both, they posted a win. The upcoming two are at home, vs. Houston Rockers and the Phoenix Suns, but after that, the Pacers will, too, have multiple contests on the road, one following another.