INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers needed a late four-point play and overtime to win their final preseason game.
The ultimate result: a 121-116 triumph over the visiting Charlotte Hornets.
Ben Sheppard tied the game after hitting a three-pointer and a free throw with under four seconds left in regulation.
The Pacers were inbounding the ball to Quenton Jackson, who lost control. Sheppard corralled the ball as it rolled toward the wing and nailed the shot from long range. The referees whistled Charlotte’s K.J. Simpson for a foul and Sheppard added the free throw to knot the score at 106.
The Hornets missed a long three as time expired, sending the game to overtime.
Pacers rookie Enrique Freeman took it from there, scoring nine points on 4 of 5 shooting in overtime as Indiana outscored Charlotte 15-10 in the extra frame to secure the win.
The team finished the preseason at 2-2.
Myles Turner led Indiana with 18 points. Freeman (15), Tyrese Haliburton (14) and Sheppard (14) also finished with double figures.
While starters played in Thursday’s game, they sat out the fourth quarter. Obi Toppin, Isaiah Jackson and rookie Johnny Furphy missed the game with injuries.
The Pacers open the regular season on Oct. 23 at Detroit. Their regular-season home opener is Oct. 27 against Philadelphia.