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Road Warriors: The End of Pacers West Coast Blues

By Jesse Smith

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANAURY 8: Jermaine O'Neal #7 of the Indiana Pacers shoots against Kenny Thomas #9 of the Sacramento Kings during the game at Arco Arena on January 8, 2006 in Sacramento, California. The Pacers won 108-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANAURY 8: Jermaine O'Neal #7 of the Indiana Pacers shoots against Kenny Thomas #9 of the Sacramento Kings during the game at Arco Arena on January 8, 2006 in Sacramento, California. The Pacers won 108-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Road Warriors series will be highlighting the Indiana Pacers road trips and how they have fared historically in opposing arenas. This time, we have the final game of a long West Coast trip to break down.

The Indiana Pacers are coming off a tough loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers.  The Pacers went down by more than 20 points in the first quarter and fought their way back to eventually take the lead in the third quarter.  That would be as close as LeBron James would allow it to get.  The Lakers took over and the Pacers just simply didn’t have an answer.  The Pacers moved into 13-9 on the season, and 6-4 in their last ten games.

The Pacers have been without All-Star Victor Oladipo for the last six games and have gone 3-3, which is a far cry better than they fared last season with him.  They will not have his services against the Sacramento Kings tonight once again as he recovers from a sore knee.

According to Land of Basketball, this will be the 88th regular season meeting between the two teams.  The Pacers have a favorable record against the Kings, which currently stands at 48-39 all-time.  Since the Kings moved to California, the Pacers are 16-16 against them.  They have currently won four straight against the Sacramento.

The Kings are 10-11 so far this season, but I truly believe they are a more talented team than their record shows.  They have several quality wins, including two over the Thunder.  Buddy Hield and De’Aaron Fox spearhead a high-octane offensive attack.  Hield is averaging 18.4 points while Fox is averaging 17.4.  Bogdan Bogdanovic (no relation to the Pacers Bogdanovic) will be a tough matchup as well.  The Kings have lost three straight as the Pacers continue to find teams who are looking to take their frustration out on them.  I’ll say this once: the Kings are not a pushover team anymore.  They will come out and fight against whoever is on the court that evening.

The Indiana Pacers are looking to bounce back from their previous loss.  The duo of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis on the court together is working.  Doug McDermott has figured out his early-season woes and is now a consistent presence in the team’s offense.  Rookie Aaron Holiday has emerged as a valid third option for the team and has solidified the guard rotation in Oladipo’s absence.  The biggest issue with the team this year comes from their slow starts, as evidenced by their absolute embarrassment of a start against the Lakers.  I fully expect the Pacers to have more cohesiveness as a unit this evening.

Prediction: Pacers win 110-102.

Next. While you’re watching the Pacers, Alize Johnson is killing it for the Mad Ants. dark

What’s in Town?

While in Sacramento, the ocean is always an option if you’re looking for a beach day.  Concert-wise, it’s pretty quiet right now but Matt Nathanson will be playing at the Grounds in Roseville.  For history buffs, the California State Capitol Museum is a solid place to check out.  It’s California, there is always something to do.

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