Game Thread #68: Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors
by Tom Lewis on Mar 15, 2009 8:34 AM EDT
in Events
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PrintIndiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors, Mar 15, 2009 12:30 PM EDT
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@ |  |
|---|---|---|
| 28-39 | 23-43 | |
| March 15, 2009 - 12:30PM EST | ||
| Air Canada Centre | ||
| Radio: 1070AM WFNI TV: No local TV | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| T.J. Ford | PG | Jose Calderon |
| Jarrett Jack | SG | Anthony Parker |
| Marquis Daniels | SF | Shawn Marion |
| Troy Murphy | PF | Chris Bosh |
| Roy Hibbert | C | Andrea Bargnani |
The Indiana Pacers have a rare day game up in Toronto today. Danny Granger may give it a try tonight, but the comments from Jim O'Brien and Granger after he didn't play Friday seem to indicate they'd rather wait a little longer until the foot pain subsides for good. The team practiced yesterday so how the foot feels this morning will indicate whether or not Granger plays.
There's no doubt this is a must win for the Pacers to maintain any hope of emerging from the regular season with a playoff spot. It is hard to believe a win in Toronto is expected since the Pacers have been burnt by the Raptors over the past couple of seasons.
In fact, looking at the talent on the Raptors roster, it is hard to believe the team has lost seven in a row and completely fallen out of the Eastern Conference playoff discussion. Jason Kapono and Jose Calderon have been Pacer killers in the past, so keeping them in check is always critical. I'd add Andrea Bargnani to that list since his game resembles that of Mehmet Okur and Okur has really hurt the Pacers in both games against the Jazz.
Here are the Pacers.com Matchups.
For a Toronto perspective, check out Hoop Heads North, RaptorsHQ and Raptors Republic.
Gameday Reading
- Pacers Notebook has Jim O'Brien focusing on Roy Hibbert's defensive struggles and Jarrett Jack playing with too many questions in his head in Atlanta. No time for getting mentally bogged down now Jack. Let 'er rip!
- Frank Zicarelli reports on Jose Calderon breaking the Raptors' career assist leader.
Leave your thoughts and observations in the comments.
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Oh, for the love of...
I swear my boss schedules me specifically to not be able to watch the Pacers. Last week I had plenty of chances to watch them, but I had to work nights the nights they were playing, and now today, I’m off, but they’re not on TV!
Very important game. I figured up a way this team can still make the playoffs (that had factored in both the last two games as losses), but it does require one three game winning streak that starts today, so…..
Let’s go, boys. Get an inspiring win in Toronto! New York should lose today, but New Jersey should be able to win today.
Danny Granger's Status
Do we know yet if Danny Granger is going to play today?
Pacers up 12-8
TJ and Murph gettin’ em going. I’m off to a kids birthday party. Will have to watch the rest later. I’ll be checking in, though, let me know if there’s some plays of note.
Raptors lead 53-50 at half
11-3 run for the Raps to close out the half really helped them out. Couldn’t get a last second shot to fall. Danny with 9 points off the bench in 11 minutes. And three fouls.
Murph leads Pacers
With 14 points and 7 rebounds.
In other news, a Random Season High for Opponents Watch has been issued for this game through the fourth quarter:
Andrea Bargnani has 16 points at half with a season high of 31.
Things aren't changing
More turnovers, more Bargnani, who has 7 here in the third, and Marion is coming to life. 77-66 Raps.
Hmm...
Pacers have had six turnovers here in the third quarter alone. Bargnani is six off his career high of 31, and the Pacers are looking terrible on both ends with 5/16 shooting. 79-66 with 3:19.
90-69 Raptors at the end of three
Time to do some damage control…
Pacers shooting 38. Raptors shooting 49. Only one field goal in the last 5:26, team shot 27% in the third.
Well...
We let up a career high today, and not Bargnani (yet), rather…
Pops Mensah-Bonsu who now has 19, which is more points than he’s scored the entire season.
Pacers down 104-76. with six to go. Pacers are going to lose a third straight. Not looking good anywhere. Hate to get too reactionary, but yeah….season might be over….
Game over
Pacers make a mini run at the end, lose 110-87.
Final shooting:
IND – 37.6% (up from 36.2% in the final two minutes)
TOR – 45.3%
Indiana shot an abysmal 9-31 from the three, were out “free throwed” by 19 shots, and really just played terrible terrible basketball all second half.
Time to watch an exciting game with Miss State and Tennessee. Nice change of pace anyway.
Thanks for the updates, GLS
Appreciate knowing when and how it all went downhill. Just watched the second half and you had it covered.
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