IC Cold Links: Super Bowl Festivities Help Ease Not So Super Performance from Pacers in Loss to Celtics

by Nathan S. on Jan 28, 2012 2:12 PM EST

As Indianapolis heats up (figuratively and literally, check the weather report!) with Super Bowl festivities, it serves as a nice diversion for local Pacers fans who may need that as an excuse to not have to worry too much about last night's loss to the Celtics.

While the Celtics were short Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, and Jermaine O'Neal, it's worth reminding that their win gave them a fourth straight win without Rondo and Allen. While talent may drop without those players, the Celtics' role players have shown tremendous value in this run, one that could keep rolling as their schedule lightens up. The bad news is that the space the top six teams in the East have given themselves may soon be inviting the Celtics back into the fold as the seventh team, giving Indiana yet another team to worry about in their quest to not only return to the playoffs, but land a home court series.

Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic have lost three of their last four, all three in embarrassing fashion, and the one win coming against Indiana. Who has more beef in Sunday's game between the two? Indiana for getting shot out of the building this past Tuesday or Orlando, who despite a strong start, has fallen off to the point where Dwight Howard took it upon himself to tear into his soon-to-be former teammates. The good news for Indiana is the Magic didn't seem to respond in the second half of their loss to New Orleans, but it's hard to not be a little unsure heading into tomorrow night's game in Orlando, where the Pacers look to avoid their first back-to-back loss of the season.

Check out the links after the jump.

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Wow.

Front page fodder this year has been so positive. This post is….kind of scary.

I’m not blaming Nathan. It’s a pretty well written bit of lag time frivolity. But, I think the lack of bravado after the Chicago win…sandwiched between two bad looking losses to other likely playoff teams speaks volumes about how much this “meaningless”, mid-season matchup should matter to both teams.

The Pacers have to figure out how to beat a zone and keep the ball moving against lithe, quick feet and hands. The Pacers must figure out what is a good shot and what is a bad shot….and a bunch of other things….

Anyway…the only reason I began to respond to this is to say….thank G*d I didn’t plan a trip back to Indy to check out the festivities. I really don’t want to be around a bunch of drunk, obnoxious New Yorkers and Bahstoners. I really wanted the wanted the Colts to be the first team to ever host a SuperBowl. But, things worked out ok. We didn’t match the Lions, or even the Dolphins as the worst record in the 21st century and still got the first pick. AND Indy probably is better of financially with more out of towners spending out of town cash than local folks spending local money.

peac.e

by trucutter on Jan 28, 2012 6:41 PM EST reply actions

OT: Conseco

Has the field house been packed lately? The Pacers I have noticed are playing some pretty good ball and I was gonna see my nugs play em in Indy. If i by cheap tickets in the upper decks is there a good chance I could move down to better seats?

J.R. Smith... WE JUST SAW MAN FLY! RIDE EM COWBOY!

by crreid4444 on Jan 28, 2012 6:46 PM EST up reply actions

No, it had not.

The Pacers have one of the worst attendances in the league, and even against premier opponents you can find available seats anywhere in the house. That said, I don’t know what it will be like over the next week with out-of-towners patrolling Indy’s streets. There’s a chance people will fill up Banker’s Life just to have something to do while waiting for the Pats and Giants to square off.

Chances are, though, you’ll be able to move down lower. There’s usually something available.

by Jmahoney on Jan 28, 2012 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

Hey thanks man!

Yeah nuggets dont come to town till Feb 11 so hopefully all those superbowlers will be gone by then. I watched pacers bulls last season and no one cared how far we moved down it was great and conseco is an awesome place to watch some bball in my opinion

J.R. Smith... WE JUST SAW MAN FLY! RIDE EM COWBOY!

by crreid4444 on Jan 28, 2012 7:55 PM EST up reply actions

It is.

I moved away before I was old enough to afford going to games and I was too old to ask my parents to take me to games when I got in to spectator sports.

But, a couple years ago when the Colts went to the super bowl. The year they won the divisional round against the Ravens…it was a night game and the bars were full of Baltimore fans. My dad and I got seats in the 10th row of the lower level for like $50 a piece.

It is a great venue. Please go and buy tickets. Go and get good seats and if the Pacers are winning complain loudly about the absence of JR Smith and Wilson Chandler. Maybe Bird will hear you and make a play for them…wink, wink.

peac.e

by trucutter on Jan 29, 2012 1:12 AM EST up reply actions