GT: Pacers @ Nets, 730pm ET 10/30/19

[ecuhus1981]

OK, I apologize for stepping on mods' toes. We're 3 hours out, and I want some game thread discussion!

I even prepared some pre-game thoughts:

“Throw a steak off the yacht
To a pool full of sharks, he'll take it
Leave him in the wilderness
With a sworn nemesis, he'll make it
Take the gratitude from him
I bet he'll show you somethin’, woah”
-- Kendrick Lamar, XXX

Two teams with playoff hopes and subpar starts will duke it out in Brooklyn. A win for either will quiet the critics, while a loss will only increase the rumblings of underachievement. Who takes the W from their equally success-starved opponent? Who makes it out of this cage match of desperation? Who will “show us somethin’”, now that the shine of offseason mania has passed, and fanbases are voicing their frustration? As always, these may not be the defensive assignments, but let’s go position by position:

JARRETT ALLEN VS. MYLES TURNER – Locking Longhorns in the middle will be these two former UT stars. Jarrett makes more sense to start in this matchup, and obviously is in good form after a spirited performance against Memphis. Myles has not quite lived up to some of the future All-Star hype that he generated as a rookie, but he’s still a great modern two-way stretch big. If we can stalemate, it will bode well for us.

TAUREAN PRINCE VS. DOMANTAS SABONIS – As is a running theme this season, Prince will need to make up for a lack of size and strength defensively, by making his opponent pay on the other end with speed and skill. Sabonis is highly productive, but not an ideal fit at either bigman spot. I see both posting big surface numbers; whoever can make plays and take care of the ball will probably win the H2H.

JOE HARRIS VS. TJ WARREN – Joe-sus Thrice gives up a bit of size, but Warren isn’t always interested in post play so it *may* not hurt us. Harris should be able to work through screens for open looks, he just needs to keep TJ from looking just as good on the other end.

CARIS LEVERT VS. JEREMY LAMB – CLV has almost solidified his reputation as a top-10 SG. His floor game is polished, his efficiency is up, and early indications are that he has the clutch gene. The last step is to lock down his counterpart each and every night. JL does an excellent job of playing within his skill set, maximizing every opportunity and wasting very few touches. The trick for Caris will be limiting Jeremy’s opportunities. Muscling through screens and giving max effort to contest jumpers and funnel driving lanes will be key. If Lamb goes 3-for-5 with 9 points, I’ll be happy. If he goes 9-for-15 with 27 points, we’re in trouble.

KYRIE IRVING VS. MALCOLM BROGDON – The All-Star versus the upstart. Malcolm has put up gaudy numbers in a primary ball-handling role this early season, though he (like everyone else) takes a back seat to Kyrie’s efficient dominance thus far. Historically, tall, strong, skilled PG’s like MB don’t give KI as much trouble as quick, uber-athletic ones. My hope is that Brogdon attempts to match Irving shot-for-shot, and Indy’s offense stagnates as a result.

Before the season began, I thought that the Pacers had one of the deepest teams in the league. So far, I haven’t seen a reliable ball-handler or scorer off the bench. We haven’t exactly set the world on fire in that department either, but I feel that the budding chemistry between Dinwiddie and Jordan should see us through to a 2nd unit advantage.

I can’t name the Pacers coach. I could Google him, but it doesn’t matter. ANY coaching matchup concerns me right now. I’m not down on Kenny as a taskmaster or long-term leader. I just want to us make smart in-game adjustments, especially on defense. If they come out switching all screens and heating up passing lanes, I’ll be pleased. But if whatever their current strategy is continues to falter, I hope he has the humility to tweak at half-time or earlier. That and limiting turnovers is our recipe for success.

PREDICTION: NETS 117, PACERS 112

GO NETS!

[ducler]

Read on Twitter

[MrDollarBills]

Time for battle.

[kamaze]

We need to get this win on the road. Go Nets!

[MrDollarBills]

We need to get this win on the road. Go Nets!

We are at home

[kamaze]

We need to get this win on the road. Go Nets!

We are at home

I see.

[Rich Rane]

Is it so difficult for a game to start on the dot of its scheduled time?

[kamaze]

The team needs to focus more on defense. The offense is fine but they're giving up too many points. They need to be taught in practice.

[Rich Rane]

The team needs to focus more on defense. The offense is fine but they're giving up too many points. They need to be taught in practice.

Defense may take a few weeks to fully be where they want to be as they get more used to playing together. Limiting turnovers AND making free throws is the easier and quicker fix so early still in the season.

[Rich Rane]

Got them in the penalty at the 9 and a half mark.

[Rich Rane]

3-ball is not going down.

And 2 bad turnovers from Caris early.

[DarkXaero]

Terrible start for Levert

[Hello Brooklyn]

Man this team sucks

[NyCeEvO]

It’s way too easy to score on us...smh

[NyCeEvO]

How are we getting these soft foul calls? I didn’t think Levert or DJ’s foul were legit.

[MrDollarBills]

Kyrie is disgusting in transition

[MrDollarBills]

Man this team sucks

It's October 30th. Relax fam

[MrDollarBills]

Strong MOVE Allen keep it up!!!

[MrDollarBills]

Kyrie is a **** ing savage my GOD

[Rich Rane]

Man this team sucks

It's October 30th. Relax fam

And Game 4 of 82. It took until Game 27 until the team got it together last season and we still weren't even sure by then what kind of season it was gonna be.