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The Pacer Report51? 51 points, are you kidding me? A few days ago I didn't think the Pacers could beat a high school team by 51. Granted the Bulls aren't the cream of the NBA crop but still, beating another professional team by 51 points (during what I am now calling a drought, not a slump) is unheard of. It is the biggest margin of victory in a NBA game this year. And almost more impressive it was done mostly by the bench, as each starter only played between one and two quarters. So how did this happen, and more importantly, what does it mean? Is this all Tim Haraway's doing? Will the Pacers get two win for their effort? Okay probably not, but it may be the final shove to get them back on track for one last run this season. Tonight the Pacers won again against a playoff team from "dominant" Western Conference, even though they were basically out played for most of the game. The Pacers won the hustle points as they got every loose ball and they played extraordinary defense. Eric Strickland stuck to Stephon Marbury like white on rice, in what possibly was the best defensive effort Marbury has ever faced (he scored only 10 points). Ron Artest finally showed us why he IS worth having on the team as he basically set the tempo on both ends of the court. The Pacers are beginning to look like the team that was once 33-13 (seems like along time ago doesn't it) the way they have played defense and have played unselfishly on offense. They are getting healthy, with the exception of Reggie who is still playing injured, and Tinsley who is having family problems; and seem to be getting a new spark of the bench from Tim Hardaway. Yes, there is finally some optimism for the Pacers, and isn't ironic the on the night they begin to look like their former selves, they clinch a playoff berth? Is it an omen, I hope so. Weekly Predictions: The Pacers are hot, this may be fun again! Last Week:2-2 Season Total:17-15 VS. Kings: This will show us what the Pacers are really made of. A win would be huge for both teams but the Pacers are at home where they seem to thrive. Pacers by 2. @ Cavs: Pacers don't "thrive" as much on the road, but the Cavs have basically mailed in the season and are looking for losses – hey you would be too if it meant a chance at Lebron. Pacers by 1300(okay not really but you get the idea) @ Pistons: If the Pacers win the two aforementioned games this game will be the biggest to this point in the season. I'm sticking with Pacers even if it is on the road. Pacers by 1 (a Reggie Miller three, hopefully) Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets McDyess regrets decisionIn 1999, Antonio McDyess was a highly coveted free agent with a decision to make. Stay with Phoenix or leave to Denver. More than 4 years later, McDyess still regrets the decision he made reports Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. "I blame it on how young and stupid I was," McDyess said. "There was a lot of pressure on me. Honestly, I was young and I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't look back to see what we had. I wasn't thinking what we could do and how far we could go. I just made a silly mistake. "I always look back at that and think what could have and should have happened. I try to let it go and put it in the past but it's kinda hard when you see how well he's playing now with the Nets and I think about how good we played together when we were at Phoenix." How good is right. McDyess averaged 15.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game on 54% shooting in 1997-1998, their only season together. It was the only season McDyess has made the playoffs as well. "That was great," said McDyess, who is expected to re-sign with the Knicks when his contract expires next summer. "I still kinda think about why I left because I think we had something special." Now Kidd faces a similar situation, so what will he do Antonio? "Honestly, I don't know," McDyess said, laughing. "He doesn't really say anything about it." New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Jazz get seriousOn Tuesday night, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan wondered aloud just how important a game against the Phoenix Suns would be to his unpredictable band of playoff-seeking road warriors. On Wednesday night, he found out. Important, it seems. Very important. Utah beat Phoenix 99-86 at America West Arena, marking the Jazz's second straight win and capping a stretch in which they went 6-7 while playing 10 of their past 13 games on the road. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Suns Mar 2003 Archive
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