Game Thread 03/15: Pacers vs. Raptors

[boomershadow]

In the past week, Indiana has beaten two Eastern Conference playoff teams on the road, grinding out wins over the Celtics and 76ers.

But on Thursday, the Pacers will be lining up against a Raptors team that is one of the hottest in the entire NBA, having won 18 of their last 20 games. The streak of excellence has vaulted the Raptors to clear favorites to land the top seed in the East as they've opened up a four-game lead over the Celtics.

Since the All-Star break, the Raptors have gone 9-1, led by the scoring of All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.

Greg Rappaport

http://www.nba.com/pacers/preview-pacers-raptors-180315

[Wizop]

Sabonis out - left ankle. Booker questionable - right ankle. last I knew Ike was in Fort Wayne, but looking at box scores he was there last Friday but Poythress seems to have replaced him on Tuesday.

[Pacers_Freak]

Going to have to get home from work and get some more TVs in the den so I can watch the Pacers and keep my eye on March Madness action. Going to be a great night. Tough game here for the Pacers. I've watched Toronto quite a bit and they are a very good basketball team. No Domas hurts. JVal always seems to have his way with Myles.

[Jake0890]

Yikes, if Booker is out too we might be in trouble. There'll have to be some combination of Poythress, Leaf, and Ike seeing the floor. I think Anunoby is their only guy out.

[pacers33granger]

I hope I'm wrong, but this does not look like a promising game for us. All it will take is Casey spamming JV post ups to start to try and get Myles in foul trouble and we're likely screwed with this depth issue. Their bench will probably run Big Al off the court too, so I'm not sure what Nate will do if Booker is out.

[RapZilla]

Yikes, if Booker is out too we might be in trouble. There'll have to be some combination of Poythress, Leaf, and Ike seeing the floor. I think Anunoby is their only guy out.

FYI - I'm hearing that OG is back and Powell is out.

[ducler]

[Morse Code]

Hoping to get a good look at Ike tonight if possible. Have you guys been impressed with him, thus far, in his limited exposure?

[cruwinas]

Dipo needs to go for a career high for the Pacers to have a chance. Pacers don't have luxury to miss players, Domas and Booker out is just too much against Raptors juggernaut.

[Topofthekey]

So Raptors is a 3.5pt favourite I think. If I could, I'd put $50 on Pacers this game

[winter_mute_13]

I took a peak at the Raptors' board. Game hasn't started yet, but their game thread was at 90 pages and increasing fast.

Just WTF, dudes.

[basketballwacko2]

The Pacers 2nd unit playing well with Big Al, Booker, Lance, DC and GRIII. Let's all hope that Domas gets well soon.

[basketballwacko2]

Wow what a throw down by Lance!!

[basketballwacko2]

Big Al Jefferson is working the Raps!

[winter_mute_13]

Nice buzzer beater by DC. Bench came to play tonight, especially Al Jeff and DC.

[Jake0890]

Al Jeff is putting in work tonight.

The crowd is into it tonight, BLF is rocking

[basketballwacko2]

15 points 6 rebounds and a block for Big Al!

He says hey coach I can still play!!

[Jake0890]

Myles isn’t warming up with the team after halftime. Worst time for our two centers to go down.

Suddenly our front court depth looks very suspect

[basketballwacko2]

What kind of jam would the Pacers be in if they had not signed Booker?

[basketballwacko2]

OK the Andy Mohr commercial is ticking me off they've got the chicks cleavage covered up with that stupid logo!