The Pacers play their first real game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday night.
The Pacers return to Indy for the home opener against the Miami Heat after a rough opening roadie which leaves the blue and gold at 0-2 with 80 to go.
The Pacers were one more make or one more stop/rebound away from winning both games, but alas the inability to make the final game winning play left the good guys with two one-point losses which look the same as a blowout in the standings.
With the Heat showing up after playing just one game so far, life doesn’t get any easier for Rick Carlisle’s crew. The Heat looked full of championship aspirations on their opening night which saw them run past the defending champion, albeit short-handed, Bucks, 137-95.
The Heat are playing a bit smaller but even tougher with PJ Tucker and Kyle Lowry in the starting lineup. The Pacers will need another big night from their bigs, Domas Sabonis and Myles Turner who should be able to create an advantage. The problem for the Pacers is slowing down the Heat at the other end.
The Pacers will celebrate the return of fans with a big crowd wearing gold which should create a playoff atmosphere at least through the opening tip. From there it is up to the Pacers to deliver the full 48 minutes needed for a win.
When: 7:00 p.m. ET
When: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
TV: Bally Sports Indiana
Radio: 93.5 FM/107.5 FM
Projected Starting Lineups:
Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon, Chris Duarte, Justin Holiday, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner
Heat: Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, PJ Tucker, Bam Adebayo
Injury update:
IND: Caris LeVert – out (sore back), Kelan Martin – out (sore left hamstring), T.J. Warren – out (left foot stress fracture)
MIA: Dewayne Dedmon – questionable (right ankle sprain), Kyle Lowry – questionable (left ankle sprain), Victor Oladipo – out (right knee injury recovery)
Please leave your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments.