NBA

Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers

Mar 2, 2025, 10:00 PM · National Basketball Association
24-37, 13-16 Away
Final
112 - 127

34-25, 18-10 Home

Nesmith scores a career-high 27 points to lead Pacers past Bulls 127-112

Nesmith, a fifth-year guard who returned in January after missing 30 games with an ankle injury, shot 6 of 11 from 3-point range. Three of those came in the third quarter, when he scored 13 points.

Tyrese Haliburton had his fifth consecutive double-double for Indiana with 17 points and 12 assists. The Pacers, who outscored the Bulls 32-20 in the final quarter, had all five starters score in double digits.

Coby White led the Bulls with 26 points, including 20 in the first half. Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis each had 18.

Takeaways Bulls: Although Chicago has more road wins (13) than at home (11), the Bulls' away record dropped to 13-16. The Bulls can score in spurts, but don't defend well.

Pacers: Now 18-7 in 2025, Indiana improved its home record to 19-10. And Nesmith's resurgence provides more scoring punch from a player known for defense.

Key moment Nesmith sank 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions to give the Pacers their largest lead at 90-79 in the third quarter.

Key stat The Pacers' reserves outscored the Bulls 11-4 at the start of the fourth quarter to give them a 106-96 lead.

Up next The Bulls host Cleveland on Tuesday, the same night the Pacers host Houston.

Regular Season Series

IND leads series 3-0

Recent Plays

4th 0.0 End of Game 112 - 127
4th 0.0 End of the 4th Quarter 112 - 127
4th 23.0 shot clock turnover 112 - 127
4th 45.1 Ben Sheppard defensive rebound 112 - 127
4th 48.1 Matas Buzelis misses 25-foot three point jumper 112 - 127

Statistics

CHI IND
44-88 FG 48-87
50.0 Field Goal % 55.2
10-33 3PT 19-44
30.3 Three Point % 43.2
14-18 FT 12-18
77.8 Free Throw % 66.7
42 Rebounds 36
12 Offensive Rebounds 5
30 Defensive Rebounds 31
24 Assists 34
6 Steals 7
4 Blocks 4
12 Turnovers 10
2 Team Turnovers 2
14 Total Turnovers 12
1 Technical Fouls 0
1 Total Technical Fouls 0
0 Flagrant Fouls 0
16 Points Conceded Off Turnovers 25
18 Fast Break Points 15
60 Points in Paint 48
17 Fouls 16
9 Largest Lead 15
Indiana Pacers Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Isaiah Jackson, SF Out Nov 2
Chicago Bulls Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Tre Jones, PG Out Apr 18
Lonzo Ball, PG Out Apr 18
Ayo Dosunmu, SG Out Apr 17

Game Information

Gainbridge Fieldhouse
10:00 PM, Sun, Mar 2, 2025
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 17,028 · Capacity:

2024-25 Central Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Cleveland
Indiana
Milwaukee
Detroit
Chicago
Full Standings

NBA News

2025 NBA playoffs: Conference semifinals takeaways

Here's what has stood out from the latest playoff games of the second round.

Cavs' Garland, Mobley, Hunter back for Game 3 vs. Pacers

The Cavaliers got a much-needed lift with Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter back for Game 3 on Friday night.

Pat Riley: Heat won't 'run it back,' done with Butler scrutiny

Addressing the Jimmy Butler situation for the first time since the forward was traded to the Warriors, Pat Riley said that he wishes Butler well. He also said he expects the Heat to make roster changes in the offseason.

Perk: It's past Pat Riley's time with the Heat

Kendrick Perkins and Danny Green analyze Pat Riley's remarks about potential Heat moves in the offseason.