Pacers vs. Knickerbockers 11/18/09

[chatard5]

Yourrrrrrr Indiana Pacers

taking on the New York Knicks



to move the winning streak to 6 games for the first time in over 4 years!!!

Played at Conseco Fieldhouse



Preview:

The Pacers haven't won 6 games in a row since April 8th, 2005, back when the Pacers had Stephen Jackson, Jamaal Tinsley, and Ron Artest sitting on the bench for the year. They also had Reggie Miller who said "This is probably the funnest I've had", referring to his 18-year basketball career (http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=250408011).

This part of the preview courtesy of ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=291118011

The Indiana Pacers haven't won six consecutive games in more than four years. A visit from the last-place New York Knicks could be just what they need accomplish the feat again.


The surging Pacers look to continue their strong run Wednesday night when they face the Knicks, losers of six in a row.

Indiana (5-3) has failed to reach the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, and an 0-3 start to 2009-10 appeared to signal not much had changed.

The Pacers, though, have reeled since off five consecutive wins, starting with a 101-89 victory at New York (1-9) on Nov. 4. They haven't won six in a row since March 28-April 8, 2005, en route to reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals where they fell to eventual conference champion Detroit.

Indiana took advantage of another hapless Atlantic Division club Tuesday, winning 91-83 at New Jersey to drop the Nets to 0-11.

"After the losses it seems like it's the end of the world, especially when you start 0-3," said Pacers forward Danny Granger, who had 22 points and seven rebounds. "But we stayed with it, got our first win in New York and we haven't looked back since."

Granger is averaging 25.0 points and 8.0 rebounds during the winning streak. He leads Indiana with 24.5 points per game.

Granger's has stepped up while forward-center Troy Murphy (back) and swingman Mike Dunleavy Jr. (knee and hip) are sidelined with injuries. Murphy has missed the last five games while Dunleavy hasn't played this season.

Roy Hibbert has assumed a larger role with Murphy out, averaging 14.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks over the last six games. The center had 15 points and a career-high 14 boards against the Knicks on Nov. 4.

The Pacers have won six of the last eight meetings with the Knicks, who are off to the worst 10-game start in their history.

Random Facts (they're good and I looked them up myself, so read this part!!!): I am 99% sure these facts are accurate. I don't remember hearing it was Dahntay's first double-double, but after looking to see if he had every previously had a 10+ rebound or 10+ assist game in the regular season I did not see one. It is possible that I missed one-it's 5 AM and I haven't slept yet. The other stats are correct, and I am pretty sure that goes for Jones as well. Just don't go bragging about all of these facts you know and have it be wrong and come blaming me!

-That streak of 6 games in a row won by the Pacers in 2005 was actually ended by the Knicks and did not get to more than 6 games (on a buzzer-beating lay-up by Michael Sweetney--what happened to him?).

-The Pacers got their first win of the year against the Knicks on November 4th behind double-doubles of Brandon Rush, Roy Hibbert, and Dahntay Jones--Rush's 3rd career double-double (first of the season), Hibbert's 2nd career double-double, and I believe it was Dahntay Jones' first career double-double in his 7-year NBA career.

-Granger has led the Pacers in scoring the past 5 games, all wins.

-During the Pacer's current 5-game winning streak there have been 5 different leaders in assists (Granger vs. Knicks, Dahntay vs. Wizards, Hibbert vs. Warriors, Watson vs. Celtics, and Ford (tied with Dahntay) in last nights victory over the Nets.

-The Pacers average exactly 100 PPG scoring a total of 800 points in 8 games.

-The Pacers are 4-0 when holding their opponents under 96 points.

-The Knicks give up the most points in the Eastern Conference at 110.2 PPG (2nd most in the NBA behind only the Warriors of Golden State).

-The Pacers are tied for the current longest winning streak in the NBA with the Cavs and Hawks.

Don't forget to show off your psychic abilities!
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=959562

Pacers are favored by 7 in this game-so get your bets in! I don't think Vegas is showing any respect to the Pacers yet. We were only favored by 4 last night.... I can't believe I missed that!! Somehow the Pacers went from starting the season at being 100/1 to win it all, and now, after being 5-3, they are 125/1, only behind 4 teams that are 150/1: The Bucks (They should get some more love for their good start! I don't think they will win it all and the playoffs are questionable for sure, but give them better odds just for Jennings throwing down the double-nickel!), the T-Wolves, the Nets, and the Kings... That isn't a very good list. Somehow the KNICKS are higher than us at 100/1 which is laughable!!! I am sure that is just because there are many more people to bet in NYC or for the Knicks than the Pacers. Don't get me wrong, I don't see us winning it all this year, I would just like some more love. Maybe this is a good thing and I should bet like $50,000 (roughly $47,000 of which I don't have) on these great odds! Sorry, enough about me and my addiction for spreads and odds.

EDIT: Sorry, I just saw on another site that most casinos have the Pacers at 40/1! The one I looked at was just the site I always look at to see spreads of games. So really that is an irrelevant rant that I am keeping there. It's my gameday thread!


TRADITION!











OK, so many of you probably didn't read too much and just wanted to check out the tradition. OBVIOUSLY I don't blame you. All I ask is that you read a fact or 2 under "Random Facts". I didn't take them from a website or anything, and I am a nerd for facts, so humor me! I will even add a bonus picture after this to show my thanks!



And if anyone is interested I can try and get a game-chat going on AIM! My username is TheNiceMan911, thanks to my brother making my SN when I was back in 5th grade (I hope to be around for this game to chat if others are interested--unless I can find some GOOD tickets for a good price). GO PACERS!!!

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

Nice work on the thread and the random facts.

This one is my favorite:

During the Pacer's current 5-game winning streak there have been 5 different leaders in assists (Granger vs. Knicks, Dahntay vs. Wizards, Hibbert vs. Warriors, Watson vs. Celtics, and Ford (tied with Dahntay) in last nights victory over the Nets.

It's not everyday you see a stat like that. I think it has a lot to do with O'Brien's system, and the players are doing a great job of implementing it.

[chatard5]

Yeah, I found that very interesting when looking at the box scores of late. We haven't had a player get over 7 assists, though. We have been getting a few less than 20 assists a game during the stretch, with the exception of 31 against the Celtics. But all of these games we have had at least 3 different players get 3 or more assists. So we aren't getting a huge number of assists and averaging 20 assists per game over the last 5. 31 assists against the Celtics doesn't hurt that, though. In any case, I doubt there are too many teams in the league that says they've had 5 different players lead their team in assists for 5 games in a row.

[chatard5]

I actually looked it up and 2 others teams have had 5 differents assist leaders in 5 straight games: the Hawks and the Bucks. Both of them are over-achieving and doing well! However while in this stretch the Pacers have only had 2 players tie for the lead in assists 1 game, which was last night and I awarded the most to Ford b/c Dahntay led for a different game during the stretch. The Hawks have had 2 guys tie twice and the Bucks are somewhat ridiculous having 4 guys tie once, 3 guys tie once, and 2 guys tie once. If awarded correctly, though, it is possible to give it to a different player for 5 games in a row (They actually have 9 different players in those 5 games to have at least a tie for the most assists...)

[spudmonkey31]

nice work chatard. Wow roy led assists for us in a game. Thats actually pretty disapointing to hear for me. Our guards really need to step it up in that department

[Gremz]

I wouldn't say it's disappointing to hear that Roy is dishing out numerous assists, I see it as quite the opposite. It's nice to see him not panicking in the post and making quality decisions. I do agree that it's a little worrying with the guard situation though.

Nice gamethread chatard, good to see you back in form.

[Miller4ever]

Yeah, great job. It looks like it's going ot be a tight game, since it's a back to back and the Nets made us work, and our depth means more tired players. It would be easier if Murphy returns tonight and if Hansbrough is cleared for more time.

[glasket]

wow great thread. Loved the random facts addition.
No need to say the obvious that I love the tradition pics

[Gremz]

Decent start. Danny is shooting well, and Roy has once again started rather efficiently.

[Gremz]

Just checking the box score, can't watch today. Are Granger and Chandler guarding each other most of the time? I'm surprised if that's the case.

[Miller4ever]

Just got back from class. Turning the game on now.

[Miller4ever]

Granger with 30 before the half!?

[Gremz]

Danny is lighting it up, 30 points on 11-14 shooting so far. Pretty much a Chandler V Granger show so far.

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

Rush can't buy a shot right now. But his defense remains solid. Those shots will drop sooner or later.

Hibbert looks great in the post. Some really nice moves, and he's being patient.

Hansbrough got blocked a couple times under the rim, again. So he went to his mid range game and hit a couple jumpers. He's being aggressive and attacking the rim, but it looks like he's expecting the foul call.

The pick & roll with David Lee is killing us. Chandler has had a nice game so far. He's got 18, but it's been a quiet 18. All within the flow of the game.

And Danny Granger. My goodness. 30 points but it looks so effortless and smooth. I love it.

[Miller4ever]

BTW, why is Hibbert not getting ANY recognition from ESPN and whatnot for being a surprise or MIP? Joakim Noah is getting a lot of attention, Ariza is, Channing Frye is (it's just because he's a Sun), and Aaron Brooks.

[Gremz]

Looks like this will be a really high scoring one. 54-69 at the half. Both teams are shooting a great %.

Nice to see Roy keep his foul count low early in the game. He's playing rather efficient too.

Only concerns for me are overall defensive focus, Rush's FG% and TJ's inability to get involved.

[Miller4ever]

Gremz, to answer you earlier question, Granger picked up 2 fouls within the first 2 minutes of the game, so he wasn't as aggressive on D. Thus, Chandler attacked him.

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

No, I think Dahntay was on Chandler. Granger was on Gallinari.

[Miller4ever]

Didn't say Granger was guarding Chandler, but yeah, Granger was on Gallo, since his usual speed disadvantage was negated in that matchup.

[Gremz]

BTW, why is Hibbert not getting ANY recognition from ESPN and whatnot for being a surprise or MIP? Joakim Noah is getting a lot of attention, Ariza is, Channing Frye is (it's just because he's a Sun), and Aaron Brooks.

Uhhhhh, we're Indiana. They gave Danny an award last season, ESPN won't worry about us for another 3 or 4 seasons.

No, I think Dahntay was on Chandler. Granger was on Gallinari.

Ah ok, that would make a lot more sense. Great to see Dahntay performing well on a guy who is rather decent on the defensive end imo.