Pacers playing keep away from Bucks, Bobcats, AND KNICKS...

[DWCP2]

To put it mildly, I believe the Pacers are playing just to keep the 8th spot and they are doing so not aginst the Bucks and the Bobcats, but also the Knicks.

Why?

Look at the Knicks. They are freefalling and looking no better or worse then the Pacers at this moment and could catch them for 8th had the Pacers not lost the last few games.

If you think there is no collusion in sports, look at the situation. Intentionally lose and you keep yourself in the best possible positiion for the best possible matchup, the Bulls, vs. a team that could take you out in 4 games, Celtics.

Now I doubt any of you reading this believe me, so why write it? I write because I believe it's the truth that we see a different team when they are threatened to be eliminated vs. when they have an advantage.

Trust me, the Pacers will do everything win or lose to maintain the 8th spot and are keeping it away from 3 teams to do it.

[Miller4ever]

We do seem to match up to the Bulls better. But I don't think this is true. Why lose now? Why not win, and then start dropping below the Knicks later? Also, who's to say Miami won't take the #2 spot, a team that we would also match up favorably against?

[Indy2thaWindy]

No but really, there's a good chance Milwaukee or Charlotte could still pass us up. If this was gonna happen, we wouldn't be doing it with 9 games left with only a 1 game lead over the 9th spot.

If we make the playoffs I want to play Miami.

[Gremz]

Nice theory, but we're not going to risk losing a playoff spot that we've sought for 5 years by getting fancy in an attempt to pick our poison.

We're just one of the most inconsistent teams in basketball right now.

[DWCP2]

I think the emotional toll catches up to this team a lot esp. towards the end of the season here which is why they simply get beat. Even if they get swept in the first round, I would love to see them in the playoffs because it will give them a taste of how they need to bring their game next season.

I agree with Birds assessment from a few months ago, they need a group of veterans that can support this young team. Granger is the most experienced amongst the starters, but only in his 4th year.

Way too many role player on the 2nd unit. Rush, Jones, and Posey are defensive wings with some offensive contribution, but they can stand to add an offensive juggernaut.

Would love to see them bring back Vogel as an associate head coach next year though, pending the selection.

[Miller4ever]

Granger's in his 6th. If we're not contenders in 2 years, his status as a Pacer would be in flux.

[paulgeorge24]

No, you trust me. We are not intentionally losing games and why would we want to play the Bulls over the Celtics when the Celts are falling and the Bulls are rolling? The Bulls shouldve beaten us without Boozer and with him they'll blow our doors off.

I hope you werent serious with this and this was just a product of coincidences of us seemingly being solidified into the 8th spot, and then losing a couple games to lose that while the Knicks are freefalling towards the bottom.

[Indy2thaWindy]

Yeah, we match up bad with the Bulls. I think we'd have a better chance against Boston or Miami.

[JeffFosters]

Nice theory, but we're not going to risk losing a playoff spot that we've sought for 5 years by getting fancy in an attempt to pick our poison.

We're just one of the most inconsistent teams in basketball right now.

This. Any playoff opponent is a good playoff opponent when a team is fighting for 8th seed. I don't see how any fan of the Pacers could honestly believe they're losing on purpose. The players want playoffs.

[paulgeorge24]

Do we win tonight or do we let the Celtics win tonight DWCP2?

Consider that the Bobcats and Bucks play each other tonight. someone has to win

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

I don't believe your theory since I think the Bulls are really good. Anyways, Bogut is sitting tonight so you only have to worry about the bobcats and knicks