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Indiana Pacers: The 2021 schedule will start off with a bang

By Luke Parrish

Dec 23, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) defends in the fourth quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) defends in the fourth quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indiana Pacers are going to have a fun first week of the New Year.

After a strong start to the 2020-21 NBA season, the Indiana Pacers are set for an exciting to their 2021. With just five games under their belt in the 2020 portion of the year, Indiana carries a winning record into the New Year. The first week of 2021 will present plenty of storylines.

Indiana will host the Knicks for the second time this season on Jan. 2 in a rematch of the season opener that Indiana won. The Pacers and Knicks have a deep history and have had several close games over the past few years, which is a bit surprising given the Knicks’ struggles. The two squads kick off the 2020 and 2021 parts of the season against each other.

Following the Knicks, the Pacers will travel down to New Orleans for a matchup with Zion Williams, Brandon Ingram, and the New Orleans Pelicans. Zion is undoubtedly one of the most exciting players in the NBA in just his second season. Personally, I will be watching his matchup with Domantas Sabonis and the swatted shots between Williamson and Myles Turner.

Brandon Ingram is one of the quietest stars in the league thanks to playing alongside a superb athletic talent in Zion. Ingram is averaging 23 points, seven rebounds, and 6.5 assists on the season as he takes another huge step in his young career. The Pelicans are one of the most exciting teams in the NBA and will be a tough test for the Pacers.

Wrapping up the week on Jan. 6, the Pacers host James Harden and the Houston Rockets. Houston has battled COVID-19 all season and is just getting to full strength this week with John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins returning to the team.

James Harden is a top-five player in the NBA right now and can drop 40 points and 15 assists on any given night. Even after an eventful offseason full of trade speculation and limited practice, Harden is one of the most dangerous guards in the league. Indiana will have its hands full when the Rockets come to town.

The Pacers will take a West Coast road trip in the middle of January, so getting off to a hot start this month could pay dividends at the end of the season. Strap in for a long but exciting January!

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