Pacers can't out-tank Nets, win by 29 in season's final road game

Obi Toppin posted 26 points, nine rebounds and three assists to lead the Pacers to a 123-94 win over the Nets in Thursday night's matchup of teams with two of the three worst records in the NBA. It was the Pacers' second biggest margin of victory in this season in which they have already posted their second-highest loss total in franchise history. For draft lottery purposes, the Nets needed to lose more than the Pacers did and operated in kind.

The Pacers improved to 19-61 and have the second-worst record in the NBA. The Nets fell to 20-60 and have the third-worst. Lottery odds are flat for the three-worst teams in the NBA, and the Kings and Jazz are tied for the fourth-worst record with 21 wins.

Center Micah Potter added 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Pacers, who had seven of their nine available players score in double figures. Guard Ethan Thompson had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Forward Jarace Walker had 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Center Jay Huff had 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Guard Quenton Jackson had 12 points, six rebounds and seven assists and forward Jalen Slawson had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Short-handed Nets can't handle short-handed Pacers' size inside Both the Pacers and Nets entered Thursday's game more in need of losses than wins, but the Nets were more in need of a loss and operated in kind.