5 games to all star break

[Wizop]

No one made a Houston thread so I made this one after it ended. Tyrese opened and closed and we pulled it out.

GS Thursday.

[boomershadow]

Saw some Smith/Siakam/Toppin minutes.

[Wizop]

Saw some Smith/Siakam/Toppin minutes.

Pascal playing some 3.

[Pacers Forever]

Next 3 games on the road before all star break. Outcomes should result in a 2-1 record limping into the all star break.

Knicks …..Loss
Hornets….Win
Raptors…..Win

I didn’t listen to the press conference but I get the point that Buchanan was emphasizing the moves today being more about the future. More about posturing for future moves. Obviously no difference maker talent was made available at the right price and maybe the Pacers aren’t in a position to add the next piece until the offseason.

Come offseason I feel only Haliburton, Siakam, Nesmith, McConnell, and probably Turner are locks to be back. Everyone else has to prove they are good enough to become solid players as these few are.

I want to think that the Pacers will go after Jalen Smith in the offseason, but his back problems may become a factor in going a different direction. Of course they have to evaluate the young talent and see if they need to consolidate and deal some for another difference maker.

As optimistic and happy as we have gotten about the team’s progress and performance this year I guess we have to remember that the Pacers front office’s vision is that the championship team build still has many needed pieces. Thus this year it feels like 7-10th place is expected and sufficient.

Tonight’s game was a bit embarrassing of how bad the Pacers looked, how much their young talent looked inferior to the Warriors young talent, and a reminder of how incomplete the rebuild is.

Tonight I didn’t feel like Kerr out coached Carlisle. The Warriors just outplayed the Pacers and maybe they’re a better team than the Pacers regardless of their record. Maybe the Pacers were bummed about the news of Buddy departing. Obviously the Pacers aren’t playing well enough lately against tough opponents.

Recent games
Nuggets…….L
Jazz………..L
Kings………W
Trailblazers….L
Suns…………L
Nuggets…….L
76ers……….W
Suns……….W
Grizzlies……..W
Celtics……..L
Knicks………L
Kings……….L
Hornets…….W
Rockets…….W
Warriors……..L

I hope we see progress from Mathurin and Nembhard nightly now that the pressure is on them to step up. I have little worries currently about Sheppard growing by season’s end.

[Wizop]

Come offseason I feel only Haliburton, Siakam, Nesmith, McConnell, and probably Turner are locks to be back. Everyone else has to prove they are good enough to become solid players as these few are.

Oh, I think Nembhard has earned his spot and I think it's too early to give up on Mathurin, Walker, and Sheppard. I think Stix is only a money question and that he will be back unless he gets starter money elsewhere. at this point Stix often out plays Turner.

that leaves Toppin and Jackson TBD. oh, McDermott. that's 13. JJ makes 14 and we do have an open spot.

[Pacers Forever]

Pacers @ Knicks 2/10 @ 7:30pm

Knicks 33-19 4th in the Eastern Conference
Pacers 29-24 6th in the Eastern Conference

Knicks very banged up but so deep that they’ll be a tough opponent tonight.

[Pacers Forever]

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[boomershadow]

Jalen Smith's back sucks

[Pacers Forever]

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[Pacers Forever]

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Brunson and DiVencenzo killed us last time. Achiuwa will dominate the boards. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Burks will lead their bench.

Probably gonna be a rough night unless the Pacers control the boards and slow down Brunson. A lot of offense on the Knicks.

[Pacers Forever]

Pacers 61-58 at halftime. Tyrese looking better tonight. Turner actually playing offense tonight. Mathurin looks bad. Second unit is a minus currently while starters are a plus.

[Pacers Forever]

Great win against the Knicks tonight 125-111. Siakam and Nesmith steady contributions.

Nembhard very controlled tonight and blending in well.

McConnell, Turner, and I Jax had a huge impact tonight. Haliburton getting well played 30 minutes and double doubles.

Mathurin 4 turnovers looked a bit reserved also as did Toppin struggling to get in the flow.

McDermott not much opportunity tonight which is understandable. Sheppard no opportunity rides the bench ???

[Scoot McGroot]

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[Wizop]

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I wonder if Oscar is with the team or with the Ants.

[Tom White]

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I assume his back is acting up again/still?

[Pacers Forever]

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I assume his back is acting up again/still?

I guess I forgot details but my daughter said Jalen took a pretty hard fall earlier this season and she thinks he hasn’t recovered from it yet.

[Pacers Forever]

Pacers @ Hornets tonight 7pm

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[Pacers Forever]

Pretty uninspired first half. Sloppy out of sync game against lesser talent. The type of game where you feel like they should’ve been ahead by 10 if they had ran the offense better, but are glad the Hornets are banged up and not ahead.

Pacers 49-48. Pacers shooting 50% from 2 but only 23% from 3. Losing rebounding by 6. Free throws 6-11 is sad.

[Pacers Forever]

1 game left before the break. It can’t come quick enough. Pacers too tired, out of sync, played down to the now 12-31 Hornets. Terrible loss.

[Wizop]

Charlotte is much better post trades but we're sliding into the playin