Pacers Triumph Over Pelicans
On Friday night, the Indiana Pacers secured a 127-119 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans, buoyed by a standout performance from center Jay Huff. This game marked a significant milestone for Huff, who achieved a personal best of 29 points and also grabbed nine rebounds.
Jay Huff’s Breakout Performance
Standing tall at 7 feet 1 inch, Huff has only been averaging 8.4 points before this match; however, he displayed remarkable efficiency by hitting 13 of 17 shots from the field and 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. This surpasses his previous highest score of 22 points, which he set last season while playing for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Support from Teammates
Huff’s contributions were complemented by other key players from Indiana. Pascal Siakam contributed substantially, scoring 27 points—20 of which he secured in a dominant first half. Andrew Nembhard also made his presence felt with 19 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Pacers win four out of their last five games. Both Aaron Nesmith and Quenton Jackson chipped in with 12 points each, aiding Indiana in finishing their homestand with a 3-1 record and boosting their home record to 8-16.
Pelicans’ Efforts
For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson led the charge with 27 points, showcasing a stellar shooting night by converting 10 of 12 attempts from the field, including an impressive 8-for-8 performance in the first half where he scored 21 points. Additionally, Trey Murphy III contributed 22 points, while Saddiq Bey added 20. Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen—who not only scored 14 points but also grabbed 12 rebounds—and Jordan Poole with 11 points rounded out the scoring for New Orleans, which has struggled on the road this season with a dismal 3-16 record.
Game Progression
The Pacers fell behind by two points after the first quarter but managed to establish a 10-point lead by the end of the second, concluding the half with a score of 73-66—their highest first-half score this season. Heading into the fourth period, Indiana maintained a 102-93 advantage.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Pelicans will be in action again on Sunday against the Houston Rockets, while the Pacers prepare for a matchup with the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, starting a challenging five-game road trip.
