Australian star Josh Giddey wasn't far off another triple-double in Chicago's agonising 103-101 NBA loss to Indiana as Pascal Siakam's last-second bucket decided a tight contest.
A day after his altercation with a courtside fan in Charlotte, Giddey continued his return to form and again looked like a possible game-winner for the Bulls on Sunday (AEDT).
The 23-year-old guard had 10 of his 17 points in the first quarter and finished with 11 rebounds and seven assists.
Fellow Australian Lachlan Olbrich had two points and three rebounds on his NBA debut, scoring his first bucket for the Bulls off a pass from Giddey.
But Siakam had a game-high 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals for the Pacers, and landed the game-winning blow with just 0.1 seconds left on the clock.
Bennedict Mathurin (19 points) and Isaiah Jackson (14 points, 11 rebounds) were also influential for the home team.
Giddey had support from Tre Jones (17 points) and Nikola Vucevic (16) but the trio couldn't prevent the Bulls (9-10) slipping to a third-straight loss on their road trip.
Elsewhere, No.1 draft pick Cooper Flagg had a career night with 35 points for Dallas in their 114-110 win over the LA Clippers.
Eastern Conference leaders Detroit ended the Heat's six-game winning streak with a 138-135 victory in Miami.
Cade Cunningham (29 points), Tobias Harris (26) and Duncan Robinson (18) led the way for the Pistons, while Andrew Wiggins (31) and Norman Powell (28) top-scored for the hosts.
Charlotte rallied late to end Toronto's 10-game winning streak with a 118-111 overtime win behind 35 points from Miles Bridges.
Anthony Edwards tallied a game-high 39 points to help Minnesota end a three-game losing skid with a 119-115 win over Boston.
Denver superstar Nikola Jokic steered his team to a 130-112 result over Phoenix with 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
Jimmy Butler had 24 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in Golden State's 104-96 victory over struggling New Orleans.
