Phoenix Suns (24-17) 124
Indiana Pacers (33-8) 100
Jan 22, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Gerald Green (14) takes a shot against Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi in the second half at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Pacers 124-100. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsIt’s hard to figure out where to start with as I put together the recap of last night’s game. I have to say that even while listening to it, I was tired from all the running and gunning that Suns team was doing. They put up 62 points in each half, which is unheard of against this Indiana Pacers team. A team that prides itself on the defensive end couldn’t slow down the Suns at any point.
So was this more of the Suns effort to put the game away or the Pacers lack of effort? I do think it’s that first one. The Pacers have to realize every team they face will treat that game as a playoff game from here on out with the Pacers being the best team in the league. They have to step up, especially on the road against a team that you don’t know much about based upon only playing a couple of times a year.
The Pacers looked like last night they didn’t have any clue what this Suns team is all about. Plus, the Suns had a couple of former Pacer players that I believe had something to prove.
Let’s start with Gerald Green, who got a lot of blame for bad shots he took last season, but last night, looked like he couldn’t miss. He went out and got 23 points on 6-13 shooting. I think with Green that he wanted more playing time, and that’s what he is getting in Phoenix, so his effort is much better out there. I am sure Pacer fans are just wondering why he couldn’t do this consistently out here in Indy. I am not surprised by the performance because Green did show those signs of good from time to time, but not nearly enough to keep him around.
He seems to like the challenge out there in Phoenix, just like Miles Plumlee. A guy that was drafted just a year ago by the Pacers, but couldn’t find any playing time. He goes out and gets his own 11 points while starting for the Suns at center. Now that type of scoring from Miles Plumlee was unexpected in my mind. I didn’t think he would develop into anything, but out there in Phoenix, he is showing signs of that.
Overall, the Pacers last night just couldn’t get going in their own direction, and it was another bad loss on the season. This one might be the worst loss of the season based upon the performance and lack of ability to slow down the Suns, when you consider how good the defense has been. But the good thing is the Pacers have been great at recovering from these lapses as they’ve only encountered one two game losing streak this season.
Next up for the Indiana Pacers is the Sacramento Kings, who the Pacers just put away by 24 points last Tuesday at home. I would say that the odds of the Pacers getting back to business in that one is great. Plus, Scott Agness threw out this tweet as teams go about winning the first 33 of 40 games.
Pacers, meanwhile, are 33-7. Three of the last five NBA teams to win at least 33 of their first 40 games went on to win the NBA Title.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) January 23, 2014
Not that you want to get NBA Champions tattooed on you YET, but those odds of the Pacers winning the championship after such a hot start looked to be in the high zone.