Top 10 Indiana Pacers Moments of 2012
Here we are winding down to the end of the year, so I wanted to look back over the past year for the hometown boys, Indiana Pacers. For this list, I broke it down into Signature Wins of 2012 and Best Moments of 2012. Five for each section and five each for your viewing pleasure. Let me know your favorite Pacers moment from this past year in the comment section below.
Signature Wins
Oklahoma City Thunder (April 6th, 2012: Pacers won 103-98)
Apr 6, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dunks over Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) in the first half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
This was a game that saw the Pacers build up a double figures lead for most of the game before holding off the Thunder. This was part of a fourth win in a row during that month of April that saw the Pacers put it together and really get going for the playoffs. I thought it would be one of those games to put the Pacers on the map as it was an ESPN game, so the nation could see what that Pacers team could do.
Los Angeles Lakers (November 27th, 2012: Pacers won 79-77)
November 27, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Indiana Pacers against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports November 27, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
This is the Pacers third straight win in Los Angeles after never winning at the Staples Center. Anytime you go out and play against Kobe Bryant, you have to wonder if he’ll go off for a bunch of points. Bryant did get his points in this game, but the Pacers still did enough to hold down the Lakers offense. This was one of three wins during a short road trip the Pacers made early this season. I think it was so important to get off a win and getting against the Lakers was big. The Lakers don’t look as good as advertised, but getting a win to start that road trip was big.
Miami Heat (Second Round of 2011-2012 Playoffs)
May 24, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (5) has his shot blocked by Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) during the first half in game six of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Heat were the heavily favored team in last year’s playoffs, and they would go on to win the NBA Finals. But the Pacers gave them all they could handle in this playoff series. The Pacers picked up 2 wins in the series, and who knows what happens if Dwayne Wade plays as bad as he did in game three. Wade was looking all out of sorts in that game three, and the Pacers were playing at home to win the game 94-75. The Pacers actually got the 2-1 lead in that series because of that win. But the Heat would turn things around and win three straight to put the Pacers away.
Dallas Mavericks (November 16th, 2012: Pacers won 103-83)
Nov. 16, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers shooting guard Lance Stephenson (1) shoots an outside jumper during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 103-83. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
This is that game that the Pacers offense finally opened up and it seemed to move so much better than the previous games. Coach Frank Vogel said he gave more free reign to the guys on the floor, and didn’t want to hamper the offense by called sets so much. The Pacers looked better for it. Plenty of guys were willing to make that extra pass and get another guy an easy look at the basket. This is the Pacers most decisive victory this season as well winning by 20 points.
Sacramento Kings (November 3rd, 2012: Pacers won 106-98)
Nov. 3, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings forward Chuck Hayes (42) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Sacramento in double overtime 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Pacers home opener was big in my mind because the previous night the Pacers had lost to the Charlotte Bobcats, who got their first win of the season and first win in a long time. I thought it was so important for the Pacers to come out and show the fans they are for real. It took an overtime session, but the Pacers got the win. It was a rowdy crowd all clad in the gold shirts provided earlier in the evening. It was a win on the home floor to get the team going in that right direction.