Caris LeVert scored 28 points in the first half to keep the Pacers within striking distance, but Indiana trailed the Bulls at halftime on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 65-62.
It was an inauspicious start for Indiana, as Bulls center Nikola Vucevic slapped the opening tip forward to Javonte Green, who outraced the Pacers to the ball and scored on an easy layup. More of the same followed, as Chicago scored on its first five possessions and the Blue & Gold did not on their first four. Ayo Dosunmu's halfcourt alley oop to Green at 10:11 in the first quarter gave the Bulls a startlingly fast 10-0 lead.