The Pacers will have their hands full on the road in New Orleans.
The Pacers and Pels meet for the first time this year with similar stories from their respective conferences.
Both teams have a developing core of talent with a new head coach focused on improving areas that held them back last season. While the Pels have more overall talent that is also younger than the Pacers, new head coach Stan Van Gundy is trying to add some veteran edge and a defensive mindset to his group which added Steven Adams in the offseason to help establish those plans.
The Pacers on the other hand have Nate Bjorkgren working to fire up the offensive potential of the Pacers, although he has his team ramping up the pressure on defense to try to get things going the other way.
The size, length and athleticism of the Pelicans’ front court with Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram hovering around Adams will be a daunting defensive assignment for the Pacers without T.J. Warren in the mix.
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
When: 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX Sports Indiana
Radio: 107.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan
Projected Starting Lineups:
Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon, Victor Oladipo, Aaron Holiday, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner
Pelicans: Lonzo Ball, Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Steve Adams
Injury update:
IND: T.J. Warren (left foot) – out, Jeremy Lamb (knee) – out, Brian Bowen II (groin) – out, Goga Bitadze (ankle) – out
NOP: Wenyen Gabriel (right knee) – questionable, Sindarius Thornwell (health and safety protocols) – out
Enemy view: The Bird Writes
Please leave your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments.
Leave a Reply