With fewer than 40 seconds remaining and the Pacers down by two, Victor Oladipo delivered the dagger blow to the Bulls that all but ensured Indiana’s 98-96 win on Wednesday.
Victor Oladipo’s gutsy pull-up 3 buried the Bulls
Oladipo shot a three in transition that won it for Indiana.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Oladipo got a steal, then dribbled up-court before pulling-up for a disrespectful three in transition. The make sealed the deal, giving the Pacers a two-point lead they would never give up.
After the final buzzer signaled a two-point home win for Indiana, Oladipo made sure to let everyone know whose house Banker’s Life Fieldhouse is.
He even did 10 pushups for missing a free throw down the stretch.
The Pacers trailed the Bulls by as much as 17 points on Monday, and a loss to a 3-19 Chicago team would have been disappointing for Indiana, a team in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff chase.
But Indy’s smothering defense in the game’s final possession forced the Chicago to settle for a fading three-pointer as a Hail Mary attempt for the game. In case you didn’t know, those last-second heaves rarely connect.
Oladipo finished with 27 points on 50 percent shooting to go with eight rebounds and three steals. But none of his buckets were more important than that gutsy pull-up triple with the game on the line.
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