Game Thread #6: Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 12:00 PM EST
in Events
96 comments
Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers, Nov 10, 2008 7:00 PM EST
 |
@ |  |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | 2-3 | |
| November 10, 2008 - 7:00PM EST | ||
| Conseco Fieldhouse | ||
| Radio: 1070AM WFNI TV: Fox Sports Indiana | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Earl Watson | PG | T.J. Ford |
| Kevin Durant | SG | Marquis Daniels |
| Jeff Green | SF | Danny Granger |
| Nick Collison | PF | Troy Murphy |
| Johan Petro | C | Jeff Foster |
The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Fieldhouse Monday night. The Thunder will try to bounce back from letting a potential win slip away against the Atlanta Hawks at home on Sunday.
This game sets up as a perfect chance for the Pacers to even their record at 3-3. This also sets up as the type of game the Pacers have bungled over the past few years. Last year for example, the Pacers solid start showed signs of crumbling when they dumped a game on the road to the then Seattle Supersonics (ooo, that was tougher to type than I thought).
This is a different Pacers team with a completely different make up and I can't imagine THIS Pacers team, with Jim O'Brien coaching, letting any team sneak up on them this year. For one, their margin of error is too slim so they should constantly be in "something to prove" mode. Also, with Mike Dunleavy and Rasho Nesterovice still nursing injuries, the Pacers are going ten deep and using an all-hands-on-deck approach. Ten guys aren't going to come out flat or caught off guard.
A good indicator will be the first six minutes of the game. The Pacers have played ten halves of basketball so far this season and the starting unit has had a plus score after six minutes in each of the ten halves with the exception of the second half against Phoenix. This is a team that comes out ready to play with a game plan to execute. The idea of playing hard for 48 minutes doesn't allow the starters to ease into the game. Get the ball and go from the opening tip. The competition has provided the juice to come out firing, so I'm looking forward to seeing the team reacts to playing a Thunder team they should be able to handle at home.
Game Day Reading
Blue Blitz and The Thunderworld have your OKC perspective.
Mike Wells on Roy Hibbert trying to avoid fouls so he can play a bigger role.
Wells blog post on the Ws there for the taking in the next few games.
Feel free to leave your thoughts on the game in the comments.
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As expected
Rasho and Dunleavy are still out. Let’s tip it off!
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Offense by...
Jeff Foster? All six Pacer points so far.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nice effort Danny
Chased down an open break-away dunk by Petro and forced him to earn it at the line, which he did. OKC up 14-10, mix in some D.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
13-3 run by OKC
This is the type of start I was hoping to avoid. Ugh. 19-12 OKC.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think we’re playing pretty well though. OKC’s just making everything. We need to slow them down definitely though.
Great move by Hibbert.
by ben.renz on Nov 10, 2008 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully they cool down
Not sure the Pacers will stop them at this point. At this rate, the winner will be putting up plenty of points, so there’s a long way to go.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hibbert in with a quick bucket
and a quick foul.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ahhhhh! Swift just stunned me.
Hibbert found someone to foul HIM.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Swift is THE ugliest player I have ever seen. Oh dear god….
hahahahahaha
by ben.renz on Nov 10, 2008 7:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Pretty disappointing first quarter. Rush is having a lot of trouble and I’m not liking the foul trouble by Granger and Hibbert.
by ben.renz on Nov 10, 2008 7:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Giving up too many possessions
with missed bunnies and turnovers. Pacers down 34-24 after 1Q.
Tighten it up and the Pacers should be fine, but you know, anytime now…
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Boo birds out at the Fieldhouse
Only so many good shots a team can miss, right?
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This should be an easy win. Come on guys.
by ben.renz on Nov 10, 2008 7:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
15 pt lead back down to 10
39-29 Playmakers wanted…
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Danny...it's time!
Need something from 33
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m liking this comeback. Great block by Granger.
by ben.renz on Nov 10, 2008 7:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That was quick
A bucket and a block for Granger. Let’s go! OKC up 39-35
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
LeBron gets the block, right?
Granger…charge. Brutal.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ack! Granger charge
Back to the bench with 3 fouls. Murphy illin with the flu. Time for the bench to step up.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Durant!!!!
Sick follow, flying in out of nowhere.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ummm
TJ guarding Durant is a bit of a mismatch…
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 7:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Can we get 1 big guy who doesn't foul every other time down?
Seriously
by TheHawk5 on Nov 10, 2008 8:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Running out of options
Next up…McBob.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 8:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Please God No
Can’t we just put in Murphy and let him puke everywhere? That would clear the lane!
by TheHawk5 on Nov 10, 2008 8:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
OKC up 51-48 at the half
Regroup and attack the second half. Real lucky to only be down three.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 8:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Frustrating game, but I suppose it is just three points. I like how spread out our points are among everybody.
by ben.renz on Nov 10, 2008 8:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
Plus Danny has played only a few minutes, so we’re really right there
by TheHawk5 on Nov 10, 2008 8:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nice run from Baston, too.
Nice to have him for spot duty. Hopefully he won’t foul out in another five minutes.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 8:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bruno has the Pacers with 2 fast break points
and down 15-6 in second chance points. Yikes.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 8:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
McRoberts starts second half
here we go, all hands on deck.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 8:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
mcroberts with a dime and a steal!
by captain flitzy on Nov 10, 2008 8:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
…and the missed bunny on the break. Stay active Josh
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 8:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
mcroberts, as painful as it is to say, looks ridiculously active and is visibly trying his ass off
by captain flitzy on Nov 10, 2008 8:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
you know hes thinking the food dont taste as good in the D League
by captain flitzy on Nov 10, 2008 8:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
his 3 forced turnovers produced 7 points, thats impressive
by captain flitzy on Nov 10, 2008 8:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Man, McRoberts with the block
leads to TJ bucket and the Pacers take the lead 60-58!
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 8:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
oklahoma is a really bad game, ill be surprised if we dont win by 10. These are the games the pacers gotta win
by captain flitzy on Nov 10, 2008 8:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Now is the time to put 'em down
Thunder should start feeling their game last night. Pacers can’t dump this game at home for several reasons.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 8:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Whoa
Roy with the spin move into a lefty hook. Missed it, but the move was startling.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 8:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Who will step up...?
you know, beside McRoberts.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 8:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
granger time, earn that all star spot.
do it in the 4th quarter
by captain flitzy on Nov 10, 2008 8:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
JOB hunting
for a combo to get something done. Tied at 89
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 9:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Jack and TJ
Get ’em going. Pacers up 4
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 9:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
tj lookin for that all star game?!?! haha and that was a blatant push, good call
by captain flitzy on Nov 10, 2008 9:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nice take Danny!
Go aggressive and draw the foul. made 1 of 2
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 9:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Make some free throws
Ugh. Makes it easier to close out a game, no?
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 9:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i won the free throw shooting contest in town when i was 11 and 12, i can help
by captain flitzy on Nov 10, 2008 9:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nasty four point swing
This is going to be brutal to the end isn’t it?
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 9:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i watched the sonics haws game when durant hit the bomb to win it…
dejavu would break my heart
by captain flitzy on Nov 10, 2008 9:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Running a little too much offense through Foster. Sheesh.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 9:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
We aren’t getting any breaks…
Foster’s gotta hold onto the ball.
by ben.renz on Nov 10, 2008 9:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Now OKC running their offense through Foster (literally) is just fine.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 9:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nevermind
It’s Foster’s world I’m just posting in it. Pacers up 100-95!
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 9:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
AHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Close ’em out TJ!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 9:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
give me TJ over Jermaine any day of the week…..so long jermaine, youre officially gone now!!!!
by captain flitzy on Nov 10, 2008 9:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ummm
I’m excited about McRoberts too, but didn’t TJ just grab player of the game honors.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 9:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great finish guys. Great finish. I love this team!
by ben.renz on Nov 10, 2008 9:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
wish i could've watched
It’s gonna be tough being in Minnesota and not being able to watch any games, especially if the effort stays this high and the results continue to follow.
I always appreciate these comment threads, though. Lets me capture some of the fan’s experience, even when I can’t watch. Thanks.
by boombaby on Nov 10, 2008 9:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This was a bit ugly
But we’re not turning down any Ws.
by Tom Lewis on Nov 10, 2008 9:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you have to get league pass…it’s the greatest thing ever created
by captain flitzy on Nov 11, 2008 9:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice to see us pull out a close game
even if the game was kinda hard to watch. OKC is a better team than a lot of people think. They’ve been right there in a lot of games and it was of course good to see us get a W against them.
Yeah, wow, that Robert Swift guy looked disgusting haha.
Also, I was flipping through the channels and I caught some of the Raptors- Celtics game. Boy, do I not miss JO. Another putrid turn around jumper in crunch time blocked. And his new free-throw routine takes like 10 minutes ha
Anyways, good win by the Pacers tonight
by pacers33 on Nov 10, 2008 10:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed on everything haha
OKC has been putting up some tough battles against some of the better teams and we had a VERY solid end to last night’s game.
by ben.renz on Nov 11, 2008 8:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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