Pacers vs. Wizards 10/25

[boomershadow]

The time is finally here.

At long last, the 2023-2024 regular season tips off Wednesday for the Indiana Pacers when they host the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the two teams also played each other in the Circle City in last year’s season opener.

While Washington came out on top 114-107 on Oct. 19 last season, the Pacers and Wizards went on to split the season series 2-2. In the final weeks of their 2022-2023 campaigns, the teams battled for a final postseason spot, but in the end each franchise finished with records of 35-47 – five games back of the final play-in position claimed by the Chicago Bulls.

But it’s a new season, and like Indiana adding power forward Obi Toppin and NBA champ Bruce Brown, Washington’s roster has also undergone a makeover.

Jordan Morey
https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/preview-pacers-wizards-231023

[Pacers Forever]

Pacers win 120-105. Although they will be scrappy and maybe present a small challenge my opinion is that Washington lost more talent in rebuilding and that it’s going to be a rough season for the Wizards.

I just hope that our second unit doesn’t struggle as much as they did in the last preseason game.

[Wizop]

Not a lot of defense in the first quarter and a half. Too many points

[Pacers Forever]

Luckily they survived a rough defensive start and in 2nd quarter 2nd unit started defending while scoring to take the lead at halftime 73-68.

[Pacers Forever]

The Wizards broadcast I’m having to watch sounds like the field house is a bit empty. Texted my kids who are there if it was a bit empty and they said yes only half full in balcony. Very surprised at not a full house on opening night.

[Pacers Forever]

FYI starting 5 was

Haliburton
B Brown
Mathurin
Toppin
Turner

Smith was first sub followed by Heild, Nembhard, and Nesmith.

I saw one reporter say it could be a very tight 9 person rotation tonight. So far spot on.

[Pacers Forever]

Isiah Jackson enters at 5:34 left in 3rd quarter for Smith. Smith had replaced Turner earlier in the quarter.

[Pacers Forever]

End of the 3rd quarter 110-96 Pacers. Really surprised that there’s been no TJ McConnell.

4th quarter starters Hield, Turner, Nesmith, Mathurin, Nembhard

[Pacers Forever]

McConnell finally in at 6:00 left in 4th.

Game has been pretty much in hand since early 3rd quarter.

Current lineup is McConnell, Mathurin, Brown, Nesmith, Turner.

[basketballwacko2]

Wow the Pacers are putting a whooping on the Wizards.

[Pacers Forever]

Nwora, Shepherd, and Walker in for last 5 minutes

[Wizop]

Isiah Jackson enters at 5:34 left in 3rd quarter for Smith. Smith had replaced Turner earlier in the quarter.

Didn't Smith pick up a 4th foul and needed to sit.

TJ, Walker, Sheppard, and Nwora in at garbage time. no Theis but it would be a bit of an insult to play him up 20.

[Grang33r]

WOW. These Pacers are explosive. What a incredible debut for Bruce Brown. They're gonna need to work on that defense though.

Saying they play up-tempo is an insult. They play turbo-tempo. Crazy!!!

[Pacers Forever]

Final 143-120 Pacers win as Wizards faded early 3rd quarter.

Brown 24 points
Tyrese 20/11
Mathurin 18/5/4 rebounds
Nembhard 12/10
Hield 14/5
Turner 11/8/3 blocks
Toppin 11/4 rebounds
Smith 13/8 rebounds

Doing the posts tonight for those who couldn’t watch and to show rotations/substitutions.

Theis only DNP of roster players who are relevant.

In other finals a bit surprised that the Hornets beat the Hawks and shocked that the Magic destroyed the Rockets by 30 116-86 Wow

[Wizop]

In post game, Carlisle said he had a tearful talk yesterday telling TJ that he wouldn't be in tonight's 9 man rotation.

[Grang33r]

In post game, Carlisle said he had a tearful talk yesterday telling TJ that he wouldn't be in tonight's 9 man rotation.

I saw that. That's tough, TJ is a ultimate pro, and so valuable to this team as a leader. But Nembhard needs to play. 12 points, 10 assists, 2 turnovers in just 22 minutes.

[Pacers Forever]

Post game interview is on YouTube for anyone wanting to watch. Carlisle, Tyrese and Bruce Brown, then it goes to locker room and catches up with Stix followed by Nesmith.

If there’s one sentiment that sticks out all are giving big compliments to Drew Nembhard offensively and defensively as the second unit point guard.

[Tom White]

In post game, Carlisle said he had a tearful talk yesterday telling TJ that he wouldn't be in tonight's 9 man rotation.

That was really sad to listen to. Like a father telling a son that, no, he won't be getting that new bike for his birthday.

You know TJM will handle it like the pro that he is, but hearing it still had to hurt a lot. Gotta love TJ.

On another front, I wonder if the scorekeepers demanded a raise for the extra workload they endured in this game.

[jowglenn]

Some takeaways from this game:

The Pacers are going to be FUN TO WATCH! On any given night, one or more guys can get really hot from 3; the pace will be fast and fun. Whether they win or lose, these games are going to be a high wire act worth tuning into.

The Pacers depth is going to pay off. First, by being able to keep running teams out of the gym, and second as injury insurance. If any of our starters (maybe with the exception of Myles Turner) is out for a period of time, we've got guys who can fill right in and then third string guys who can pick up that slack pretty easily. Nesmith, Nembhard, Hield - all can capably start for any stretch of games we need them to. Jalen Smith actually looks much improved, too.

Our defense is going to NEED SOME WORK.

[8305]

Nice to get the first one. Washington is a undermanned group that tried to match our tempo. Good luck with that.
We will learn a good deal more about this group in Cleveland. The most pleasant surprise for me was Smith.

Not surprised that TJ is not in the 9 man rotation. Need those minutes for Nembhard and Hield. Buddy needs at least 20min/game to keep his stroke and Nembhard needs minutes so his development can continue. Understandable that is a priority over minutes for TJ. There are other teams around the NBA that could use TJ. Might be tough to match salaries.