Game Thread 02/11: Pacers vs. Hornets

[boomershadow]

The Pacers (37-19) are riding high heading into Monday's matchup with the Hornets (27-28), having won their last five games and adding a new scoring threat to the roster in guard Wesley Matthews.

Matthews, who was introduced officially at Sunday's practice, was acquired after being bought out by the New York Knicks following the blockbuster trade that shipped Kristaps Porzingis to Dallas. The 32-year-old vet brings a steady hand for the Pacers (37-19), shooting 38.2 percent from three for his career and averaging 12.8 points per game this season.

After practice, head coach Nate McMillan was noncommittal as to whether Matthews would start in his first game with the team, as he's still being brought up to speed with the team's playcalls and defensive philosophies.

Pacers: Doug McDermott - questionable (bruised ribs), Myles Turner - questionable (sore right knee), Victor Oladipo - out (right knee surgery)

Injury Report:
Hornets: Tony Parker - out (back strain)

Greg Rappaport
https://www.nba.com/pacers/preview-pacers-hornets-190211

[ducler]

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[Wizop]

Matthews starting. makes sense for 2nd unit continuity.

Edit looks to have sent a message to Evans.

Sent from my phone.

[OnFire]

Matthews starting. makes sense for 2nd unit continuity.

Edit looks to have sent a message to Evans.

Sent from my phone.

Unable to view the game.

How's Wes Matthews so far?

[Wizop]

Matthews starting. makes sense for 2nd unit continuity.

Edit looks to have sent a message to Evans.

Sent from my phone.

Unable to view the game.

How's Wes Matthews so far?

looks to fit. playing hard and smart. but not much to show in half time box score. Evans though very comfortable with 2nd unit.

Sent from my phone.

[basketballwacko2]

This is another need to win game. They are not as good as we are and we can't let them take us.

[BooomBaby]

McDermott is such a huge, worthless bum.

Only thing he's good for is commiting stupid fouls.

I really hate seeing that guy out there.

[Wizop]

Matthews after going 0 for 6 hits a 3 to give us magic number of 90.

Sent from my phone.

[BooomBaby]

Matthews after going 0 for 6 hits a 3 to give us magic number of 90.

Sent from my phone.

Wasn't impressed at all with him, but that was expected as I already knew his best days were way behind him.

[Wizop]

Matthews after going 0 for 6 hits a 3 to give us magic number of 90.

Sent from my phone.

Wasn't impressed at all with him, but that was expected as I already knew his best days were way behind him.

never wanted to trade for him and take on his prior contract, but at this price he's a nice addition. Sumner's time will come but Matthews experience will help down the stretch and in the playoffs.

Sent from my phone.

[Jake0890]

Kemba, in SHOCKING fashion, continued to torch us.

Got burned on the offensive glass too.

[boomershadow]

No first to 100 tonight.

[DoubleEagle4]

I thought Matthew played pretty well considering he had only been with the team for a little over 24 hours. You could tell he was nervous and wasn't hitting shots that he probably normally hits. I loved the energy he brought in the 4th quarter and can tell he will be a fan favorite. It says a lot that he WANTED to come here instead of other teams he could have went to. I saw online that the Pacers are only paying him around $750k for the rest of this season. Sounds like a good deal to me. Plus it looks like Tyreke wants to fight for playing time now...

[Wizop]

No first to 100 tonight.

because it was a first to 90 game. we hit it on Wesley's 3.

Sent from my phone.

[Gooner]

I thought Matthew played pretty well considering he had only been with the team for a little over 24 hours. You could tell he was nervous and wasn't hitting shots that he probably normally hits. I loved the energy he brought in the 4th quarter and can tell he will be a fan favorite. It says a lot that he WANTED to come here instead of other teams he could have went to. I saw online that the Pacers are only paying him around $750k for the rest of this season. Sounds like a good deal to me. Plus it looks like Tyreke wants to fight for playing time now...

I can see him staying in Indiana past this season.

[Pacers_Freak]

Great start to the game. Thought the team relaxed a little bit when they got the big lead and then it took a while to jump start it back. Gave up too many offensive boards. However, in today's NBA to go 4 straight games of holding opponents under 100 and 5 of the last 6 is damn impressive. We had a stretch earlier where we couldn't stop a nose bleed. Kudos to the staff and players for getting it fixed. I like what the Matthews signing did to Tyreke. I think it is important for Evans to be in the 2nd unit. He has a little Lance in him, where if he's hot you can ride him and if he isn't get the starters back in quicker. I'm rambling a bit, but the way Myles has played this past month makes me like that contract he signed more and more each day. Pretty cool how this team has rallied after losing their all star.

[basketballwacko2]

Kemba, in SHOCKING fashion, continued to torch us.

Got burned on the offensive glass too.

But did it help his team win? Nope, and we're without Vic. I'm not impressed with Kemba's stat stuffing.

[Scoot McGroot]

Kemba, in SHOCKING fashion, continued to torch us.

Got burned on the offensive glass too.

But did it help his team win? Nope, and we're without Vic. I'm not impressed with Kemba's stat stuffing.

It's not the same. Without Vic, you still have Myles Turner, Thad Young, Bojan, and even Collison to play over 20 minutes a night and help fill the gaps. For Charlotte? Well, they only play Kemba, Batum, Jeremy Lamb, Marvin Williams, and Cody Zeller over 20 minutes a night. That's his supporting help. Other than Kemba, would any of those guys be anything more than situational role players on any other roster in the league? Instead, they're being asked to be second options. Kemba's playing hard, and playing well, but he's simply not superman.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHO/2019.html

[basketballwacko2]

Kemba, in SHOCKING fashion, continued to torch us.

Got burned on the offensive glass too.

But did it help his team win? Nope, and we're without Vic. I'm not impressed with Kemba's stat stuffing.

It's not the same. Without Vic, you still have Myles Turner, Thad Young, Bojan, and even Collison to play over 20 minutes a night and help fill the gaps. For Charlotte? Well, they only play Kemba, Batum, Jeremy Lamb, Marvin Williams, and Cody Zeller over 20 minutes a night. That's his supporting help. Other than Kemba, would any of those guys be anything more than situational role players on any other roster in the league? Instead, they're being asked to be second options. Kemba's playing hard, and playing well, but he's simply not superman.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHO/2019.html

That's a messed up line up and pricey to boot. That team has drafted poorly and handed out money like drunk sailors on shore leave. But Kemba doesn't make his team mates better, Batum and Marvin Williams are in the scrub category and getting paid like top players. My point on Kemba is that he's gonna want $30-32 million a year if no more. He's not worth it, put him on a team with some good players and his huge stats will drop right off.

[boomershadow]

I'd be all about giving Kemba Walker lots of money, but I actually think he stays with the Hornets.