Pacers Win Washes Away That Familiar Feeling

by Tom Lewis on Dec 17, 2009 6:39 AM EST in News Comment 7 comments

More photos » Ron Hoskins - NBAE via Getty Images

Troy Murphy had the trailing three-pointer going for the Pacers last night.

The Indiana Pacers finished their game against the Charlotte Bobcats last night in familiar fashion save for one detail.

How many times have we seen a good effort and apparent W slip through the Pacers' fingers with a late collapse? Usually the opponent dials up an incredible dagger to make it feel even worse. A couple of losses last year immediately come to mind with Devin Harris and Chris Paul each delivering the death blow leaving the Pacers lifeless at the buzzer and stuck with a loss.

But that one different detail, actually winning, changes so much. Suddenly, the late implosion is merely a collection of teachable moments. Plus, there was some decent defense on those late Charlotte possessions which the win rewards with a little positive reinforcement to build on.

With a road game at Memphis tomorrow night, we'll see if the Pacers can maintain their solid effort of late and indeed build on that winning feeling from last night.

After the jump, a few links of interest from last night's game.

PACERS: Inside the Game
Bruno breaks down the numbers and offers up post-game video reactions to the win.
AP: Murphy's double-double leads Pacers past Bobcats
Pacers nearly blow 18-point lead in win
Mike Wells reports on the Pacers hanging on to salvage a win after blowing an early lead.
Pacers Notebook: Ford passes first, then scores
T.J. Ford found it easier to pile up the assists with teammates moving to get open. Also, JOB plans to move Dunleavy's minutes down to 24 during the four-games-in-five-days stretch coming up. No problems and after last night's game Dunleavy mentioned that he feels fine, just want to stay cautious.
Bobcats rally comes up 1 shot short
Rick Bonnell reports on the Bobcats missing out on another comeback win.
Observations: Flip talks Pacer smack
Former Pacer Flip Murray jump into the head of his former Hawk teammate, Solo Jones.
Bobcats Lose to Pacers 101-98; TJ Ford Runs a Clinic
Rufus on Fire recaps the Bobcats' loss to the Pacers, including highlights and lowlights.
Pacers Insider: The Dunleavy factor Part II
Mike Wells emphasizes the impact Mike Dunleavy's made on the offensive flow for the Pacers.
Greg Oden Addresses Fans
Greg Oden remains positive in the early stages of his recovery from his season-ending knee injury.
The essential Reggie Miller documentary - TrueHoop Blog
Henry Abbott offers his review of the Reggie vs. New York documentary. I agree with Henry on Spike Lee and really hope he isn't the focus of New York's side of the story. I have a feeling I may be disappointed, though.

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Comments

A bit ugly, but we'll take it.

Coach Knight used to say he didn’t think there was much you could learn as a team from a loss, but you can from winning (no matter how ugly). Time to learn how to front run on opposing teams and put games away.

Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"

by Wise Master on Dec 17, 2009 9:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

bobby knight is a god!!!

by ottoprice13 on Dec 17, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

TJ's Personal Coach

I wish the Pacers would hire The General as TJ’s personal coach – I bet it would take Knight about 2 sessions (and of course the threat of more) to cure TJ of his ME FIRST attitude!

by FortWayneKarl on Dec 17, 2009 8:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Lol

Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"

by Wise Master on Dec 18, 2009 10:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm going to make a 'duh' comment

but Pacers need to win against Memphis because the next few games will be very tough.

I’m glad to see that TJ had all those assists but the 6 TOs are…ugh. Sometimes it’s feast or famine with him. I’m guessing he had a few JJTs, too.

Pacers definitely need to learn how to close teams out. If the team needs a last second shot, who’s going to take it? I know Danny would be a 1st choice and maybe Jack when he was here last year, but who else would I feel OK with the last shot? I suppose Dunleavy…

by Gwen on Dec 17, 2009 9:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Six turnovers to 13 assists

Not a condemnable ratio, even if the 6 is as gaudy as the 13. I love that he’s moving the ball around. I’m actually fine with an AST/TO ratio being at or just over 2. Obviously, it’d be nice to have it be better, but I can’t complain, especially considering he was still above his 1.41 avg coming into the game.

I think the Pacers have been doing well recently at closing games out. 3-1 in the last seven days, including two closed out wins and a “kept at bay” sort of win. They did blow it against the Magic, but they were tempting fate that whole game anyway, it may have been an anomaly had the Pacers closed out a win there.

Interested to see how this Memphis game goes. An equal level team (definitely more talented) on the road while this team is in a winning mode without their best player. I wish I could say we’d learn a lot about them tomorrow, but I think we already know quite a bit.

by goodlucksaturday on Dec 18, 2009 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bayless had career game

Here comes all the Rush haters…never mind that it was against “terrible” D from the Suns who start a rookie at two guard….that being said you gotta give him credit for hitting wide open jump shots. Just look the other way when he plays D.

Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"

by Wise Master on Dec 18, 2009 10:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs