INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — Andrew Nembhard scored a career-high 28 points and dished 12 assists to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 116-105 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers built a 66-51 halftime lead and held off a third-quarter push from the Kings. Indiana capitalized on Sacramento’s 19 turnovers, converting them into 14 steals. Russell Westbrook posted a triple-double for the Kings with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists. DeMar DeRozan added 20 points. Bennedict Mathurin scored 25 points and Pascal Siakam added 23 for the Pacers, who improved to 6-18. Sacramento fell to 6-18.

INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — In a matchup of teams desperate to climb out of identical early-season holes, the Indiana Pacers used a dominant first half and a stellar performance from Andrew Nembhard to secure a 116-105 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. A crowd of 16,465 saw the Pacers improve to 6-18, pulling even with the Kings, who fell to the same record. The game was largely decided in the opening 24 minutes, as Indiana built a commanding 66-51 halftime lead behind a blistering offensive start and a disruptive defense. The Pacers scored 35 points in the first quarter and 31 in the second, shooting efficiently and capitalizing on Sacramento’s mistakes. Indiana’s defense set the tone early, forcing 12 first-half turnovers and converting them into easy opportunities. The Kings, by contrast, looked out of sync, managing just 23 points in the opening period despite a triple-double effort from Russell Westbrook. The most important stretch of the game came late in the second quarter, extinguishing Sacramento’s last significant momentum. After the Kings cut what was once a 17-point deficit down to nine, Indiana closed the half on a critical 8-2 run. Bennedict Mathurin hit a pair of free throws, and after a DeMar DeRozan basket for Sacramento, Andrew Nembhard drilled a mid-range jumper with 2.6 seconds left to send the Pacers into the locker room with a 15-point advantage. That sequence sapped the Kings’ spirit and ensured Indiana maintained firm control. Nembhard was the orchestrator for the Pacers, delivering a career-high 28 points and 12 assists. He was efficient from the field and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line, controlling the pace and repeatedly finding open teammates. His backcourt partner, Bennedict Mathurin, added 25 points, while Pascal Siakam contributed 23 points, five rebounds and four assists. Sacramento mounted a brief challenge in the third quarter, outscoring Indiana 37-26 behind a furious push from Westbrook. The veteran guard fueled a run that brought the Kings within four points, but the Pacers weathered the storm. Indiana’s defense tightened again in the fourth, holding Sacramento to just 17 points on 7-of-23 shooting to seal the win. Westbrook finished with a triple-double of 24 points, 13 rebounds and 14 assists for the Kings, but also committed six turnovers. DeMar DeRozan scored 20 points, and Zach LaVine added 16, but the Kings were plagued by poor ball security and an inability to get stops. Sacramento committed 19 turnovers leading to 24 Pacers points, while Indiana gave it away only 13 times. The statistical disparity was stark. Indiana attempted 28 free throws, making 26, compared to Sacramento’s 23 attempts and 16 makes. The Pacers also dominated the assist column 14-6 and recorded 14 steals to Sacramento’s six, highlighting their superior ball movement and defensive activity. Jay Huff provided a major defensive presence for Indiana with four blocks and seven rebounds, altering numerous shots at the rim. For Sacramento, rookie center Maxime Raynaud had 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Both teams entered the game with 5-18 records, making the contest a battle to avoid the cellar of their respective conferences. Indiana, projected as a 3.5-point favorite by oddsmakers, covered the spread with the 11-point victory. The total score of 221 fell well under the over/under line of 233.5, largely due to Sacramento’s inefficient offensive night. The Kings continue a difficult stretch with a home game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. The Pacers head on the road to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

Preview: Struggling Kings, Pacers Meet in Indianapolis INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to halt extended slides will meet Monday when the Sacramento Kings visit the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Both clubs enter with identical 5-18 records, among the worst in the NBA. The Kings have lost four straight and 12 of their last 13 games. The Pacers had lost seven of eight before a 120-105 road victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Sacramento is coming off a 121-95 road loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Rookie center Maxime Raynaud was a bright spot in the defeat, scoring a career-high 25 points to go with six rebounds in 32 minutes. Raynaud has shown flashes of promise, averaging 12.3 points over his last three contests. He will need to provide interior production alongside guards Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook, who combined for 37 points and 14 assists against Houston. Indiana’s recent success has been fueled by forward Pascal Siakam, who is averaging 28.4 points and 7.6 rebounds over his last five games. He erupted for 36 points and nine rebounds in the win over Chicago. Guard Bennedict Mathurin added 28 points in that game, while center Jay Huff posted a unique stat line of 11 points, five assists and five blocks. The Kings’ offense has been inconsistent during their skid, failing to reach 100 points in three of their last four losses. Their defense has been a larger issue, allowing an average of 124.5 points over the last 10 games. Indiana has also struggled defensively, giving up 119.8 points per game this season. Their Friday win, holding Chicago to 105 points, marked a rare defensive stand. This matchup represents one of the more winnable games on the immediate horizon for both squads. Following Monday’s game, Sacramento begins a tough four-game homestand against Denver, Minnesota and Portland. Indiana embarks on a challenging five-game stretch that includes road games at Philadelphia, Boston and Miami. Monday’s tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.