Indiana Pacers Hit the Road
Time for the Pacers to head out West and see what they can do against some tough competition. First, there’s the battle of Los Angeles as they tackle the dynamics of the Lakers. There’s the back to back fights with Sacramento and Golden State. Finally, the team will head back towards Indy with a stop in Chicago, who they want to take out as division leaders. We will have a preview for each game, but wanted to give a glimpse into each game.
Indiana Pacers (6-8) at Los Angeles Lakers (7-7)
Can the Pacers slow down the offense of the Lakers as they’re looking to pick a win to start this trip. They can hang their hat on the fact that the Pacers have won two in a row against the Lakers in L.A. It’s time to continue that streak, and put away a team that’s finding their way with new coach, Mike D’Antoni. They are looking for a way to get the offense moving in L.A. The Pacers are a defensive squad that wants to spoil all the fun that could be had for the Lakers. I am not sure what to expect from this game as the Pacers have shown they can handle an elite team like the Spurs, but couldn’t finish the job. But then again, the Pacers have lost to the Bobcats, who aren’t anywhere near an elite team. With a couple days off for the Pacers, I think they’ll be rusty out of the gate, and I hope they don’t fall too much behind. But picking up this first win on the road trip could do wonders.
Indiana Pacers (6-8) at Sacramento Kings (4-9)
The Pacers have already took care of business against the Kings in their home opener. But that game went into two overtimes, and it wouldn’t surprise me if this upcoming game goes to the end as well. The Kings have some athletic guys that can give the Pacers trouble. But if the Pacers put together a game like they should, they should put away the Kings. I think Roy Hibbert has a big game in this one, and continue his turnaround as he’s looked to score more and become a defensive presence. The guard play will be important as Marcus Thorton, who?, torched the Pacers for 26 points last time out. Let’s hope the Pacers put together a game plan to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
Indiana Pacers (6-8) at Golden State Warriors (8-6)
A late night game for fans here in Indy as the Warrriors and Pacers tip off at 10:30 PM local time. Stephen Curry is the man to watch as he’s been leading the way for the Warriors. Right around 18 points a game, if the Pacers can slow him down, they’ll be in good position to win this one. It’s still early in the season, but the Warriors are tied for first in the Pacific Division, if the Pacers knock them off, they can say they knocked off a division leader. That’s something to say for the way the Pacers have started this season.
Indiana Pacers (6-8) at Chicago Bulls (6-7)
Here’s the game to circle as the Pacers make their way make home. The Bulls have lead this Central Division for the past few years, and they are the team to beat if the Pacers want to make a move. This was quite the series last season, and I expect more of the same this season. With Derrick Rose out and Danny Granger out, that’s two superstars that can lead each team. Both teams are still finding their way without those guys, and who knows in a week, if there will be much change in the records of the teams. But as a Pacers fan, I still want to beat this Bulls team, and have that feel that this is a real rivalry brewing. I would expect a playoff like atmosphere come next Tuesday with Bulls’s and Pacers’ fans glued to their televisions to see who wins this first battle of contending teams.
As far as predictions, I would love for this road trip to end up 2-2. I think with the way the season has unfold, that would be a win for the Pacers even if it doesn’t look like a win. Beating L.A. and Chicago would be great for the wins, but I think the Pacers end up winning the middle two games against the Warriors and Kings. Or possibly beating the Lakers, losing to the Kings, beating the Warriors, and losing to the Bulls. Ideally, you want to go out and win all four games, which would be quite the feat for this team. That would give them some great confidence coming home next Wednesday.
What do you think the Pacers do these next four games?