With Kidd-Gilchrist gone, it seems likely coach Steve Clifford will again turn to P.J. Hairston as a starter.
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The Hornets, who had lost 12 consecutive times in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, got 54 points from their non-starters, which was 21 more than the in bench. During that fruitless stretch, Charlotte had averaged 87.4 points on 41 percent shooting. It was the kind of foul that would make you shake your head and the play amplified how the Pacers’ heads were simply not into the game. 500 mark as well but a big win over the Pacers will help them get above the hump and close the gap between the two squads. Against the Hornets, players would have a new distraction to overcome.
The team will reevaluate the small forward after the All Star break, but it does not look promising.
So, could the Pacers ratchet up their defense before leaving for varied destinations?
Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has suffered another major injury. IN had won five of seven before facing Charlotte…. This will be the first meeting of the regular season between the Hornets and Pacers.
Guard Jeremy Lamb added 16 points for the Hornets, guard Jeremy Lin scored 14, center Cody Zeller and guard Nicolas Batum had 11 each and center Frank Kaminsky contributed 10.
Walker had 25 points and seven rebounds and was one of seven Charlotte players to score in double figures. “A game like this, especially on our floor, we’ve got to handle business, (but) we fell through”.
The Pacers did not escape the night unscathed.
Pacers: F Jordan Hill left during the first half with a dislocated ring finger and did not return….
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Kidd-Gilchrist is out for the remainder of Wednesday’s game versus the Pacers after dislocating his right shoulder.
