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Same projected starting lineup today

Haliburton
Hield
Duarte
Brissett
Goga

Timberwolves 7 point favorites are 2 games above .500 in 7th position in the West on a 2 game losing streak 6-4 in last 10 games.

The Pacers are 13 games out of 7th position in the East on a 5 game losing streak and 2-8 in last 10 games. Pacers currently own the 5th worst record in the league.

I don’t expect a win today as the Timberwolves have been playing better basketball in a tough western conference this season plus our roster is still without more talent than most teams rosters.

What I want to see in a tough contest is:

Better defense in 4th quarter
New players adapting to the system
Brissett continue to thrive
Goga hold his own against Towns
Haliburton cut down turnovers
Buddy play team ball more
Duarte more control and confidence
Smith add more than just scoring
Lance less turnovers
Washington more awareness
A steady start based on solid play rather than adrenaline infused newness like last game

Finally a win(not likely) but if not then a hard fought loss only because Timberwolves are better and Pacers aren’t collapsing defensively and offensively in closing minutes.

Can't wait to get this started.
This new team reminds me of what we used to say about college freshmen - Sometimes they will surprise you, sometimes they will disappoint you, but they are never going to bore you.

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Love the Terry Taylor take from Carlisle not knowing what college he came from

Good start for Goga
Great start for Lance and Brissett
Duarte again drives and tried to pass creating turnover when he needed to go strong to bucket that close in.
Washington still having issues defensively and taking too many shots/drives.
Good first quarter overall

Not happy with Carlisle’s rotation. Left Brissett out too long after he’s hot in first quarter.

Goga once again lacks on defense against Naz Reid in comes Thompson

Duarte injured toe.

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Pacers Forever wrote:Same projected starting lineup today

Haliburton
Hield
Duarte
Brissett
Goga

Timberwolves 7 point favorites are 2 games above .500 in 7th position in the West on a 2 game losing streak 6-4 in last 10 games.

The Pacers are 13 games out of 7th position in the East on a 5 game losing streak and 2-8 in last 10 games. Pacers currently own the 5th worst record in the league.

I don’t expect a win today as the Timberwolves have been playing better basketball in a tough western conference this season plus our roster is still without more talent than most teams rosters.

What I want to see in a tough contest is:

Better defense in 4th quarter
New players adapting to the system
Brissett continue to thrive
Goga hold his own against Towns
Haliburton cut down turnovers
Buddy play team ball more
Duarte more control and confidence
Smith add more than just scoring
Lance less turnovers
Washington more awareness
A steady start based on solid play rather than adrenaline infused newness like last game

Finally a win(not likely) but if not then a hard fought loss only because Timberwolves are better and Pacers aren’t collapsing defensively and offensively in closing minutes.

Timberwolves talent is undeniable but

Losing Duarte killing us offensively.
Goga nice start against Towns then becomes a statue on defense and taken out. Thompson isn’t the answer either. Taylor plays with more effort but just too small for some of the 5’s.
Buddy’s shot just not falling today. Doesn’t seem to be forcing.
Haliburton playing very good with only 1 turnover and 10 assists, but deferring on offense and unfortunately others not scoring enough.
Carlisle really holding Smith back only 7 minutes
Washington not playing well.
Sykes over matched.
Lance playing well.

With Duarte out, Brisset starts second half at 3 with Smith at 4. I hope that works.

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Wizop wrote:With Duarte out, Brisset starts second half at 3 with Smith at 4. I hope that works.

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With the trade I see Brissett in the starting lineup for quite a while.

Nice 3rd Quarter.

Without Duarte, what makes it more meritable.

Nothing special: just getting more focused at defense and Lance SephenTroll proving that despite his weird body language, he's a high-BBall-IQ type of guy.

102-98 for TimberTrolls.

The tundra starts to melt.
...hopefully...

4th starts with Thompson at 5 and Taylor at 4.

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Wizop wrote:4th starts with Thompson at 5 and Taylor at 4.

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Yep looks like Goga and Smith closing with probably a combination of Tyrese, Buddy, Lance, and Oshae.

Pacers Forever wrote:

Wizop wrote:With Duarte out, Brisset starts second half at 3 with Smith at 4. I hope that works.

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With the trade I see Brissett in the starting lineup for quite a while.

It'll be a bunch better if he can play the 3. I want to see Taylor, Smith, and IJax at 4.

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StephenTroll gets benched...

...TimberTrolls extend the lead.

Why am I not surprised?

Two games in I’m not down on Buddy yet, but if I could say one thing to the coaches or Buddy it would be this.

Buddy you’re a good 2 point shot maker so work more of them into your game and rely less on your 3 point shot taking it when necessary.

I going to say something I may never had said before.

If we had Turner in this game, I think we would have won.

Now before you guys start making plans to have me institutionalized, hear me out. It would only have taken a couple good offensive plays and a couple good defensive plays at the rim for him to have made the difference. He can certainly do that much, and Goga was giving nothing most of the game.

If we can find a way to convince Jalen Smith that "Hey, remember we were the team that wanted you while your previous team didn't. Stick with us and we'll show you how much."

Losing Duarte hurt as well, but he has to learn to take better care of the ball.

I'll still say I can't see a way Goga or Brogdon fit with the rest of this version of the Pacers.

Hield was really off with his shot tonight, but that just means he'll likely light it up in the next game. While talking about Hield, does anyone else think he looks like Paul Pierce in the face? Boy, I sure think so.

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