Sabonis outshines Valanciunas, as the Pacers handle the Pelicans / News - Basketnews.com

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Led by Domantas Sabonis who logged 20 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, the Indiana Pacers (7-11) had an easy night against struggling New Orleans Pelicans (3-15) 111-94 (32-19, 26-27, 38-18, 15-30).

Player of the Game EFF 27 Domantas Sabonis Points 20 Accuracy 6-11 Rebounds 10 Assists 6

Malcolm Brogdon added 16 points and 4 assists for the Pacers in the victory, while rookie shooting guard Chris Duarte came off the bench for the third time in four games. The 13.7-point scorer has started 15 games. His replacement, Justin Holiday, scored 14 points in the first half and finished with 17.

Jonas Valanciunas tallied 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Pelicans in the losing effort. Naji Marshall scored 14 points and Brandon Ingram had 12.

Yanked by coach Rick Carlisle midway through the third quarter of a loss at Charlotte, Indiana's starters opened with 23 points in the first quarter for a 32-19 lead against the Pelicans.

The one change to the starting lineup was shooting guard Justin Holiday, who scored 17 points with four 3-pointers.

Carlisle was critical of his starters' selfishness Friday. That's why the coach stuck with reserves down the stretch at Charlotte, where a 25-point deficit was trimmed to three at the final buzzer. This night, the Pacers shared the ball with 20 assists to the Pelicans' nine to build a 58-46 halftime lead.

Indiana then broke it open with an 18-4 run in the third quarter. Sabonis was surrounded by three defenders inside but kicked a pass out to a wide-open Malcolm Brogdon for a 3-pointer. Turner threw down a rebound dunk over two defenders to boost the margin to 86-60 with 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the third.

The margin reached as high as 32 points as the Pacers' starters sat the fourth quarter this time because they weren't needed anymore.

The Pelicans, still missing power forward Zion Williamson, have dropped 15 of their 18 games and are 1-9 on the road. They were coming off a 13-point home win over the L.A. Clippers. Williamson is ramping up workouts in preparing to make his season debut after foot surgery, but that date has yet to be announced.

Indiana Pacers: Domantas Sabonis: 20 (6/11 FG, 6/8 FT, 10 REB, 6 AST, 2 ST, 2 TO), Justin Holiday 17 (6/11 FG, 2 AST), Malcolm Brogdon 16 (6/8 FG, 4/6 3-POINT SHOTS, 4 AST), Kelan Martin 12 (4/12 FG, 3 AST), Myles Turner 11 (5/7 FG, 9 REB).

New Orleans Pelicans: Jonas Valanciunas 19 (8/15 FG, 13 REB, 2 AST, 3 TO), Naji Marshall 14 (3/8 FG, 8/8 FT, 6 REB, 3 AST), Brandon Ingram 12 (4/14 FG, 3 REB, 4 AST), Kira Lewis 12 (5/11 FG, 3 REB).

Domantas Sabonis's and Jonas Valanciunas's highlights:

Full game highlights:

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