Bogey returns, Pacers win fourth straight
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — Bojan Bogdanovic returned to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Wednesday night with his new team. After being greeted with a loud ovation from the Indiana fans, “Bogey” put on a show with a 30-point performance. But in the end, he was minus-22 while on the court, and it was the Pacers coming out on top by a final score of 121-102 over the Utah Jazz.
“They’re going to be one of the contenders,” Bogdanovic said. “Especially when Victor (Oladipo) comes back.”
He continued: “I have a lot of respect for this team, the coaching staff, and the fans. I had two great years here. They treated me like family. And they helped me show the league what I was capable of.”
After an 0-3 start, the Pacers have gone 11-3 since. It was a big step defeating a good team like Utah, silencing the “soft schedule” narrative that had been going around. Regardless of who they’ve played, an 11-6 record is no small feat considering the injury problems for this group.
The Pacers have shot over 50% in three straight games. They’ve won four straight overall, and have scored 111 or more points in each of those contests. They continue to use their depth to their advantage- another strength that will only grow when Oladipo returns. On Wednesday night, T.J. Warren and Domantas Sabonis each scored 23, while Malcolm Brogdon chipped in 22.
“I like the way we’re playing,” said Head Coach Nate McMillan. “We’re continuing to establish ourselves.”
The Pacers will look to keep things going in their annual “Black Friday” game, this Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks.
