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 a short trip to Brooklyn to break down.
After the last two finishes by the Indiana Pacers, we need Will Smith to come in with that flash thing that makes us forget everything. The Pacers will try to do just that, moving on to Friday night’s matchup versus the Brooklyn Nets.
The Pacers currently sit 4th in the Eastern Conference with a 20-12 record, which by all accounts is a successful start, but have lost two in a row on the heels of a seven game win streak. The Cavs loss serves as the worst loss of the season up to this point. The Raptors loss was just cruel. They look to right the ship against the Nets (15-18), who are on the outside looking in on the Eastern Conference playoff positions.
According to Land of Basketball, this is the 178th matchup between the Pacers and the Nets franchise, who used to reside in New Jersey. The Pacers hold a hearty lead in the head to head record at 105-72 all-time. Since the Nets moved to Brooklyn in 2012, the Pacers are 7-4 while visiting.
The Nets have been something of a mess over the last decade or so, failing to find an identity or establish a solid brand in New York. They are riding a seven-game win streak which is the longest active streak in the NBA. They are attempting to cut into the Knicks’ market share of fans as they haven’t had anything to cheer about at MSG this season.
With the East being as top-heavy as it is, the Nets could very well sneak into a low-seed playoff spot by season’s end. The impressive part of the win streak comes from the fact that they have been missing Caris LaVert, who is lucky to be walking after what looked like a season-ending injury.
DeAngelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie spearhead their offensive attack, albeit inefficient at times. Both players average over 17 points per game.
The Nets have six players averaging double figures and have a rising defensive star in Jarrett Allen, who joined a very elite club by blocking LeBron James on a dunk attempt this last week.
The Pacers are at full strength but are playing with the urgency of a sloth. The last two games have strayed away from the high-octane, ball-moving approach that led to their previous seven-game win streak in favor of iso-ball featuring only Victor Oladipo (i.e. Myles Turner only took six shots against the Raptors).
The strategy led to easy trapping and bad decision-making, much like the downfall of last year’s team. This year, there are plenty more options to take the reign on scoring and Oladipo does not have to do everything himself.
I am not blaming the player (though ball security isn’t great) as much as I’m blaming the scheme. Stop burning the shot clock to settle for mid-range chucks and get back to what got you as high as tied for second in the conference: passing. If the Indiana Pacers can do that, I see no issue with taking on the Nets. I think they do and I think they win.
Prediction: Pacers 111, Nets 97
What’s in Town?
New York is one of the greatest cities in the world, especially this time of year. For obvious site-seeing, go to 30 Rock for ice skating and large tree/light displays. Check out Broadway shows and eat some Sbarro Pizza. You can’t really go wrong in that city and entertainment is always an arm’s length away.