by The GM on December 17 at 10:49AM
This past weekend was the same as every other weekend (on the court) so far this season. The Pacers lost on Friday night and then came back and won on Saturday night. Indiana is now 12-12 on the season and can't seem to break away from the .500 mark. Four times they have tried to get over .500 and four times they have failed. They have another chance tonight as they take on the Knicks in New York. Now the recaps.
I was able to go to the game on Friday night thanks to some great seats from Boomer and G-Man. Toronto was in town for the night and the graphics department (the gf) accompanied me to the game. Indiana controlled the game for the first 40 minutes, then the wheels fell off. Jason Kapono caught fire from pretty much everywhere on the court, Kris Humphries was scoring at will, and the Pacers lost their cool. The fourth quarter was dismal. Indiana was outscored 35 to 18 in the final 12 minutes. Shooting was bad, turnovers were abundant, and technicals were given. I will say that when Tinsley got his technical for sarcastically clapping in the officials face, I wasn't mad. They couldn't get a call in the fourth. Plus the game was out of reach at that point anyway. Indiana turned a 16 point lead into an 11 point loss. Toronto escaped before the bad weather hit the city with a 104 - 93 win.
Saturday night saw the Pacers win a close one against Miami, in Miami. I didn't get to watch this game because I was at a family dinner and hanging out with my cousin who just got home from the hospital (broken hip). We were busy watching "Balls of Fury" and "Evan Almighty" while the game was going. I did check the score of the game a couple times and saw that it was a back and forth affair. Indiana was down two after one quarter and down three at the end of the first half. They cut the lead to one by the end of the third and then held on for the win with the final score being 106 to 103.
This week marks a stretch where the Pacers can get on a nice winning streak. With games @ New York, vs. Philly, @ Minnesota, and then back home to take on Washington, Indiana could finish the week off with a five game winning streak. That is, if they start winning the games they are supposed to win. Indiana has beaten teams like Dallas, Orlando, and Utah, but then they come out and lose to teams like Seattle. By winning the next four, that would put Indiana at 16-12 and would certainly help distance themselves a little from the bottom half of the Eastern Conference. The four opponents for the week have a combined record of 33-63. Again, games that Indiana should win. New York is next to last in the East, Philly is four games under .500, Minnesota has only three wins this year, and Washington is playing without its number one star, Gilbert Arenas, and Antonio Daniels. They have somehow won four games in a row though, so they could be a tough match up. The game I am most worried about though is the Philly game. We always struggle with them for some reason. Plus, Andre Iguodala is one of the best all around players in the game, so containing him is a must.
For more Knicks coverage, check out Stop Mike Lupica. For more 76ers coverage, Brian from Depressed Fan has the knowledge.
I was able to go to the game on Friday night thanks to some great seats from Boomer and G-Man. Toronto was in town for the night and the graphics department (the gf) accompanied me to the game. Indiana controlled the game for the first 40 minutes, then the wheels fell off. Jason Kapono caught fire from pretty much everywhere on the court, Kris Humphries was scoring at will, and the Pacers lost their cool. The fourth quarter was dismal. Indiana was outscored 35 to 18 in the final 12 minutes. Shooting was bad, turnovers were abundant, and technicals were given. I will say that when Tinsley got his technical for sarcastically clapping in the officials face, I wasn't mad. They couldn't get a call in the fourth. Plus the game was out of reach at that point anyway. Indiana turned a 16 point lead into an 11 point loss. Toronto escaped before the bad weather hit the city with a 104 - 93 win.
Saturday night saw the Pacers win a close one against Miami, in Miami. I didn't get to watch this game because I was at a family dinner and hanging out with my cousin who just got home from the hospital (broken hip). We were busy watching "Balls of Fury" and "Evan Almighty" while the game was going. I did check the score of the game a couple times and saw that it was a back and forth affair. Indiana was down two after one quarter and down three at the end of the first half. They cut the lead to one by the end of the third and then held on for the win with the final score being 106 to 103.
This week marks a stretch where the Pacers can get on a nice winning streak. With games @ New York, vs. Philly, @ Minnesota, and then back home to take on Washington, Indiana could finish the week off with a five game winning streak. That is, if they start winning the games they are supposed to win. Indiana has beaten teams like Dallas, Orlando, and Utah, but then they come out and lose to teams like Seattle. By winning the next four, that would put Indiana at 16-12 and would certainly help distance themselves a little from the bottom half of the Eastern Conference. The four opponents for the week have a combined record of 33-63. Again, games that Indiana should win. New York is next to last in the East, Philly is four games under .500, Minnesota has only three wins this year, and Washington is playing without its number one star, Gilbert Arenas, and Antonio Daniels. They have somehow won four games in a row though, so they could be a tough match up. The game I am most worried about though is the Philly game. We always struggle with them for some reason. Plus, Andre Iguodala is one of the best all around players in the game, so containing him is a must.
For more Knicks coverage, check out Stop Mike Lupica. For more 76ers coverage, Brian from Depressed Fan has the knowledge.
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Comments
What picture? I want to get the joke, too!
p.s. Did you go to the game with a different girlfriend? I was sick, remember?
The 2nd comment was from me...in case you didn't realize it. =)
The Sixers are the second-hottest team in the East (5-1 in their last 6), I take exception to you thinking this is a game the Pacers should win.
That being said, it's going to come down to how well the Pacers shoot the three. The Sixers have had trouble defending it all year long and O'Brien loves it. If they hit their open threes, and there will be plenty of them, the Pacers will probably win.
Jack-
That is an abnormally large forehead...what if him and Tyra Banks had a baby?
Graphics-
You were sick? That isn't possible...
Brian-
I do realize how well they have been playing, but it is a game at home for the Pacers and that is always a "should win" game, in my opinion.
After seeing that picture I realize why J.O. wears a headband.