Pascal Siakam poured in a season-high 36 points, including five 3-pointers, and grabbed nine rebounds as the Indiana Pacers defeated the Chicago Bulls 120-105 on Friday night at United Center. Bennedict Mathurin added 28 points with six 3-pointers, giving the Pacers a dominant scoring duo.
Siakam overcame a scoreless first quarter to heat up in the second, finishing with a 14-point halftime total and leading a 20-6 run to open the third. Andrew Nembhard contributed 15 points and seven assists, while Jay Huff blocked five shots as Indiana won its first road game in 11 tries this season.
The Pacers trailed early in the first quarter but built a 62-57 lead by halftime behind efficient shooting and balanced scoring. Indiana shot 54% from the field and 46% from three, capitalizing on Chicago’s 19 turnovers to generate fast-break opportunities.
Coby White returned for the Bulls after missing three games with a strained left calf, scoring 22 points, and Matas Buzelis added 19 points and 12 rebounds. Despite their efforts, Chicago could not stop Indiana’s scoring bursts and suffered their sixth consecutive loss, falling to 9-13.
The Pacers’ third quarter proved decisive as Mathurin’s perimeter shooting and Siakam’s inside scoring fueled a 30-26 quarter that opened a double-digit lead. Chicago attempted to rally in the fourth but could not overcome the deficit, finishing with 44 rebounds and eight assists from the bench combined.
Indiana improved to 5-18, looking more like the Finals-contending squad from last season, while Chicago’s early-season collapse continues after winning six of their first seven games. The Pacers host Sacramento on Monday, and the Bulls return home to face Golden State on Sunday.
