RealGM

Doing this now so I don't forget later.

With their final game before the All-Star break, the Pacers are aiming to hit a milestone they never reached during the entire 2016-17 season: going eight games above .500.

As they enter their matchup with the Brooklyn Nets (19-39), the Pacers are sporting a 32-25 record and have been on their longest stretch of solid play of the season.

After losing five consecutive games, a win over the Bulls on January 6 snapped their losing streak and served as a turning point. The Pacers have now won 13 of their last 19 games, reaching a win total that some experts predicted could have been their season total.

Greg Rappaport

http://www.nba.com/pacers/preview-pacers-nets-180214

Saw something on twitter yesterday where Big Al and Thad have been personally making sure they don't start the break a day too early. Like seeing that veteran leadership.

Definitely a trap game. Brooklyn plays hard, even if they're not good, and taking this one for granted is a surefire way to get dumped on Valentine's Day and go into the break brokenhearted.

Stay focused, keep the foot on the gas, and we'll enjoy the All Star break and come back with GRIII ready to go for the stretch run!

The Nets have not won a game in February, and the Pacers need to keep it that way. It seems like good shooters always go off against the Pacers, so it will be important to keep Crabbe and Russell in check. Crabbe has shot 38 3's in the last 3 games combined! That includes 18 3PA against the Pelicans.

In the 3 games against the Nets this season, Myles has averaged 20 points and 9.7 rebounds. Oladipo has averaged 28.7ppg.

Russell scored 30 in the season opener and did not play in the other 2 match-ups. What makes this game scary is the fact that Brooklyn has nothing to lose this season. They are not tanking because the Cavs own their draft pick. Players are trying to prove themselves and secure roster spots for the future.

Time for Turner and Domas to eat Okafor alive

If the Pacers win tonight, they will go into the All-Star break with a 3 game win streak. After the break, they play Atlanta, Dallas, and then Atlanta again. Possible 6 game win streak on the horizon?

Lot of our shots aren't falling right now, but I think considering we're the better team if we just keep grinding it'll hopefully even out over the course of the game.

Hopefully one of the last games we see Jefferson and Sabonis together on the court.

Just not enough movement there, defensively and offensively.

Quinn Buckner: "Finally! Domas FINALLY draws a foul!"

Pacers__Talk wrote:The Nets have not won a game in February, and the Pacers need to keep it that way. It seems like good shooters always go off against the Pacers, so it will be important to keep Crabbe and Russell in check. Crabbe has shot 38 3's in the last 3 games combined! That includes 18 3PA against the Pelicans.

In the 3 games against the Nets this season, Myles has averaged 20 points and 9.7 rebounds. Oladipo has averaged 28.7ppg.

Russell scored 30 in the season opener and did not play in the other 2 match-ups. What makes this game scary is the fact that Brooklyn has nothing to lose this season. They are not tanking because the Cavs own their draft pick. Players are trying to prove themselves and secure roster spots for the future.

Crabbe already with 3 3s


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

Big Al in the first half: 6/6 from the field. 13 points, 3 rebounds.

Interesting how Caroll was pure trash in Toronto, yet is now serviceable. I guess no pressure does that to you

I seriously cannot believe that this is a game.

we always, always, always play down to our opponents.

take the lead...

bite on a demarre carroll pump fake, but he misses the pull up... don't get the rebound.... bounces out to crabbe for 3...

smh

The Nets are a team without much to lose, playing at home, that likes to get up and down the court and shoot lots and lots of 3s. That gives them a lot of chance to get hot. They may not be a great team when you look at the wins and losses, but they got guys that can make plays and shoot the ball. And they did that tonight. So, sure the Pacers shouldn't have let them keep the game as close as they did, but you gotta give the Nets credit for coming out and playing hard and keeping up the energy. I thought they did a really good job tonight. It took everything the Pacers had tonight to slow them down, but at least they managed it.

So whatever happened, it's good to get this win and go into the break on something of a roll.

Laure wrote:Interesting how Caroll was pure trash in Toronto, yet is now serviceable. I guess no pressure does that to you

I think he was never physically healthy in Toronto. Great deal for the Nets to get him and a pick for nothing.

The Pacers are on a pace to win 48 games maybe a few more if they stay healthy, considering they've lost every game they didn't have Victor playing they might have 3-4 more wins and could win 50, might hit that mark anyhow.

Great VictorY

basketballwacko2 wrote:

Laure wrote:Interesting how Caroll was pure trash in Toronto, yet is now serviceable. I guess no pressure does that to you

I think he was never physically healthy in Toronto. Great deal for the Nets to get him and a pick for nothing.

By reputation he is also a system player who has performed well in Atlanta and Brooklyn, but didn't fit into Toronto's iso-heavy offense. A similar thing happened to Crowded when he went to Cleveland.

Though I'm sure the injuries were a big part of it too.