Charlotte Hornets' Late Surge Falls Short Against Indiana Pacers in Overtime

In a closely contested game that went into overtime, the Charlotte Hornets faced off against the Indiana Pacers, ultimately falling short with a final score of 116-121. The Hornets now hold a record of 0-1 in the preseason, while the Pacers improve to 1-0. Despite leading for a significant portion of the game and boasting a bench that contributed an impressive 69 points, Charlotte couldn't clinch the victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Hornets' Highlights

The Hornets showcased their depth and resilience throughout the match. With eight blocks and eleven steals, their defensive efforts were notable. The team also excelled in fast-break opportunities, converting 58 percent of these attempts into 21 points. A standout moment was when they managed to extend their lead to 16 points, demonstrating their potential to dominate on court.

Offensively, Charlotte's performance was bolstered by making 17 out of 42 three-point attempts (40 percent), highlighting their threat from beyond the arc. Their efficiency from two-point range was also commendable at 53 percent. Among individual performances, Brandon Miller led with an impressive tally of 20 points on a shooting efficiency that included making over half his three-point shots.

Pacers' Counterattack

The Indiana Pacers mounted a formidable comeback in the fourth quarter and overtime, outscoring Charlotte significantly in these periods combined. Their bench matched up well against Charlotte's reserves scoring an equal number of points (71). Defensively, they managed six blocks and fourteen steals across the game which played a crucial role in disrupting Charlotte's offensive flow.

Indiana capitalized on turnovers more effectively than Charlotte did; scoring thirty-six points off turnovers compared to twenty-five by Charlotte. This aspect proved pivotal as it allowed them to regain control during critical moments of play.

Looking Ahead

As both teams look forward to refining their strategies and line-ups for upcoming games this preseason; fans can catch future broadcasts on BSIN for home games or BSSE-CHA for away matches involving The Hornets or The Pacers respectively.

This encounter between The Hornets and The Pacers has set an intriguing precedent for future matchups this season; with both teams showcasing depth and resilience that could make any subsequent meetings highly competitive affairs.