The Indiana Pacers have hit a portion of the schedule that is favorable for the team’s success moving forward. With a unique four days of rest, the Pacers will look to build on what has already been established with a four-game homestand.
The Indiana Pacers have been riddled with injuries to start the season, so a rare four-day break without a game couldn’t come at a better time.
After being off Tuesday and Wednesday, the Pacers returned to practice Thursday.
Victor Oladipo joined his teammates in a full-court scrimmage for the first time this season. Oladipo went through the entire practice with no issues.
Jeremy Lamb and T.J. McConnell also returned to practice, and they are both expected to play Saturday in the team’s first game off the break.
Malcolm Brogdon did not practice (sore lower back) and is doubtful.
The Orlando Magic visit Banker’s Life Fieldhouse Saturday night to open the homestand. While the Pacers expect to have key pieces return to the lineup, the Magic will be without starters Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic.
Both players suffered ankle injuries Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors.
The Pacers can’t take the Magic lightly. The Pacers were trailing by nine before mounting a comeback and outscoring the Magic 58-42 in the second half in Orlando on November 10th.
This was the first win over the Magic after losing the previous three contests.
Will the Pacers take care of business against the ailing Magic?
The second game of the homestand is a matchup against the young Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are led by the talented young duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Former Pacer Solomon Hill is also in the Grizzlies rotation and will look to have a strong performance against his former team.
Will the Pacers be able to impose their will on the young Grizzlies?
Game three of the homestand welcomes former Pacer Bojan Bogdanovic and the Utah Jazz.
Bogdanovic is averaging a career-high 20.5 points this season. The Utah Jazz also has Indiana native Mike Conley, former defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert, and franchise cornerstone Donovan Mitchell.
The Jazz are expected to contend in the Western Conference this year. Can the Pacers slay the mighty Jazz?
The final game of the homestand is a matchup against the Atlanta Hawks in the traditional day after Thanksgiving game.
This will be the final visit by future Hall of Famer Vince Carter to Banker’s unless the two teams were to meet in the playoffs.
Trae Young knows how to put the ball in the basket as he is averaging 26.8 points per game.
Will the Pacers be able to contain Young?
Prediction: Pacers win 3 of 4. The only loss comes in the Bogdanovic revenge game.
The Pacers have a unique opportunity to turn the corner with consecutive home games. As the team aims to get healthy, earning several wins at home will put the team at ease.