Last Updated: Feb. 2 at 11:25 AM ET Matchup
The Pacers are rolling and the pressure is on to keep it going.
After taking care of the struggling Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, putting them away 98-88, the Pacers fly to New York to face another team near the bottom of the conference standings, the Brooklyn Nets (9-40).
Despite showing some signs of life early in the season, Brooklyn's season has taken a turn for the worse. Since December 28th, Brooklyn has lost 18 of its last 19 contests, winning just one game in the month of January.
Conversely, the Pacers have been finding consistency over their recent stretch of games, picking of 11 of their last 15 games and moving to a 26-22 record on the season. They're also riding a four-game winning streak into the matchup.
But the reason the pressure is on Indiana to win on Friday doesn't have to do with the Nets, it has to do with the road ahead. Following the Pacers' back-to-back against the Nets and Pistons, all but two of their next 12 games come against opponents currently in playoff position. And the ones that aren't — Miami and Milwaukee — are both making charges towards the eighth seed.
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This increases the urgency for the Pacers to continue their stretch of cohesive play, banking wins while they can as the schedule does them few favors moving forward.
On Wednesday, the Pacers overcame a tough night from Paul George, who made just 3-of-14 shots and had five turnovers, yet still managed to win comfortably with sharp late-game execution and shot making.
Among the starters, Jeff Teague continued his positive impact, passing out a game-high nine assists while scoring 13 points on just two made field goals.
The bench got a boost as well from the return of Rodney Stuckey, who hadn't played since he suffered a hamstring injury on December 26th. Stuckey shook some rust off, making 2-of-6 shots. But his attacking style helped stabilizing the bench unit, as he got to the free throw line for six attempts. Unfortunately, Stuckey sprained his ankle on a fastbreak, and will be held out of Friday's game.
Glenn Robinson III, who was recently moved back to the bench, had yet another impressive showing as a reserve, making all five of his shots and pulling down six rebounds.
On Friday, the Pacers will have a chance to tie their season-best streak of five consecutive wins. With the way they've played of late, Indiana looks like a team capable of continuing its climb in the standings as the All-Star break approaches. Projected Starters Jeff Teague Paul George C.J. Miles Thaddeus Young Myles Turner Isaiah Whitehead Randy Foye Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Bojan Bogdanovic Brook Lopez Pacers: PG – Jeff Teague, SG – Paul George, SF – C.J. Miles, PF – Thaddeus Young, C – Myles Turner Nets: PG – Isaiah Whitehead, SG – Randy Foye, SF – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, PF – Bojan Bogdanovic, C – Brook Lopez Injury Report
Jeff Teague
Paul George
C.J. Miles
Thaddeus Young
Myles Turner
Isaiah Whitehead
Randy Foye
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Bojan Bogdanovic
Brook Lopez
Pacers: PG – Jeff Teague, SG – Paul George, SF – C.J. Miles, PF – Thaddeus Young, C – Myles Turner Nets: PG – Isaiah Whitehead, SG – Randy Foye, SF – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, PF – Bojan Bogdanovic, C – Brook Lopez
Pacers: Rakeem Christmas – questionable (sore right groin), Rodney Stuckey – out (sprained right ankle)
Nets: None Last Meeting
January 5, 2017: The Pacers broke above .500 thanks to a 121-109 home win over the Nets, spearheaded by an all-around effort from Jeff Teague, who approached a triple-double with 21 points, 15 assists, and seven rebounds, all in just 30 minutes of action.
“I think we know what we want to do, I think we're playing together,” Teague said after the win. “Everybody's moving the ball and the open man gets the shot.”
The Pacers seized an early lead in the matchup, grabbing a 16-5 advantage. But the plucky Nets weren't ready to call it, reeling off a 13-4 run to cut into Indiana's lead.
But after halftime, the Pacers wasted no time putting away the game for good, scoring a game-deciding 38 points in the third quarter to make their lead insurmountable by the time the fourth quarter arrived. Noteworthy Indiana's 118-97 win over the Nets on Nov. 25 is tied for the Pacers' largest margin of victory this season Forward Luis Scola plays for the Nets. Scola played two seasons with the Pacers, averaging 8.5 points and 5.6 rebounds Pacers forward Thaddeus Young played on Brooklyn the last two seasons, and was traded to Indiana for Caris LeVert (20th overall pick) and a future second-round draft pick Tickets
The Pacers return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday, Feb. 4 to host Andre Drummond and the Detroit Pistons at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets » Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host) Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Austin Croshere (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host) Away Game Night Special
Ragged Wash Hat – $12. Game Night Specials can be purchased online the day of each away game from 10:00 AM – Midnight. Order Online »
