IC Cold Links: Pacers Need To Match Sixers' Defensive Intensity
by Tom Lewis on Jan 9, 2012 9:00 AM EST
in Indiana Pacers News
Email
PrintThe Philadelphia 76ers have been impressive in the early stages of the NBA season, compiling a 5-2 record. Like the Pacers, the Sixers have had a favorable schedule with only one win over an opponent with a .500 record (Phoenix 4-4). To their credit though, Philly started the season with a West Coast road trip and survived to go 3-2 before their first home game.
But it is the way Philly is crushing teams when they win that is impressive, with a league-leading defense that only allows 85.6 points per game. The Sixers also lead the league in point differential at +15.3 per game.
Something will have to give tonight, though since the Pacers are third in the league defensive efficiency while giving up 89.3 points per game. Last season the two teams split their four-game series but Philly's deep team of athletic players gave the Pacers problems.
That continues as two of the top four scorers for the Sixers come off the bench including leading score Louis Williams (17.1 ppg). Thaddeus Young and Evan Turner also bolster the second unit for Philly making for an interchangeable eight-man rotation.
The Pacers will have an advantage in the front court if Roy Hibbert can continue his reliable play. Philly is thin in the middle with Spencer Hawes being the only viable center and he is dealing with a back issue that forced him to leave their last game early.
Regardless, this game is going to be a bear for the Pacers which means it will be a great opportunity to establish where they belong in the pecking order in the Eastern Conference.
Check out the links after the jump.
- PACERS: Countdown to Tipoff: Pacers at 76ers 120109
- When defense works, so do the Pacers | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
- Positives and negatives so far this season | Pacers Insider | The Indianapolis Star | IndyStar.com
- 76ers face first three-games-in-three-nights stretch - Inquirer
- Spencer Hawes injury highlights lack of depth in front court - SB Nation Philly
- How Good is the Sixers Defense? - Liberty Ballers
- Lyon: Hop On The Sixers Bandwagon - Philly Sports Daily
- Pacers among teams showing interest in DeMarcus Cousins - ESPN
- NBA Preview - Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers - Jan 09, 2012 - CBSSports.com
- Hall-of-Fame NBA coach Jerry Sloan changes tune about returning to sideline - Sam Amick - SI.com
- NBA power rankings by Chris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com
27 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
This is exactly the type of team that worries me most
It’s why I don’t buy any of that talk around here that we can handle a team like Chicago in the playoffs. Teams that play great defense…ugh. We’re going to have to shoot as well as we did against Charlotte, if not better, not that 40ish% we’re averaging on the year in order to not be embarrassed this game. I think the Pacers play good enough defense to keep it close with anyone (the Heat apparently notwithstanding), but a team like Philly should have no trouble keeping us in the 35% FG range, and that’s not going to hack it on the road.
"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"
Come visit The Fantasy Ninjas. We'd love to hear from you.
Philly is Tough
I had this one circled as a loss and still havent changed my mind. Philly is a good team that mirrors the Pacers through 9 players. Paul will have his hands filled tonight playing defense on Iggy, Young, Turner. Hill will take on Holiday Im sure and Roy should be able to get his double double. West should burn Brand and Tyler as well. BUT, don’t count on Brand lying down on this one. He is a good inside/outside guy, i just dont think his “D” will be able to slow down West or Tyler…So maybe we can play the “Look Inside” type of offense on they’re bigs to keep it close or win. Its going to be a tuff one though. Hopefully not embarrasing as the Heat did to us. AND I do hope Granger and George’s Defense can cause enough problems with they’re defense.
***Forever Grunge...Man!***
*I'm Alive* Eddie Veddar, Pearl Jam
Should be a good test.
Tonight should be a good test for both teams. So many similarities between the 2 squads. I’m interested to see how we play against a good defensive team.
PacersCenter.com
Could be missing DannyG tonight
If Granger has to sit as reported by the star, then I think we can pretty much call this one a loss. We could be without Danny, Hill and Lance, which only gives us two wing players.
Here’s hoping Lance’s ankle is ready and he can play SG tonite.
Hope Granger’s out sick w/ food poisoning for a few more games – his shooting is making me sick!
Hope GH gets better soon – his play has been a pleasure to watch of late!
by FortWayneKarl on Jan 9, 2012 12:16 PM EST up reply actions
Having had food poisoning before… I was kinda wondering if Danny can hit the pot better than he can hit his shot!!!? :)
by FortWayneKarl on Jan 9, 2012 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
Shows how mature I am...
… that I laughed pretty damn hard at that.
Uh-Oh
Mike Wells just tweeted that Hibbert is questionable for tonite too! :(
by FortWayneKarl on Jan 9, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
I for one
Was looking forward to seeing the offense with Paul George and Hibbert as the #1 options. This is getting a little ridiculous though.
True but
Until I see George try to actually create his own shots consistently, its really just a leap of faith that he’ll continue to develop into a solid replacement. Right now, he’s just a good jump shooter who occasionally flashes awesomeness.
I suck at the internet.
I agree
It’ll be interesting to see what he does tonight with Granger out of action. At the very least if he doesn’t try to create we’ll get to see Dhantay doing a lot of it:-S
PG and "create his own shot"
do not belong in the same sentence. the kid just flat can’t dribble. but shhhh…no one heard that, PG’s the golden child.
"He's like Darth Vader." - Frank Vogel on Larry Bird
Agree that his dribbling is a weakeness
But we’re not talking about him dribbling much…slashing at the basket does not require much dribbling ability, nor does shooting above smaller guards or using his body to create easy short/mid-range shots. The current PG often doesn’t look to do anything with the ball other than pass it. Which isn’t a terrible situation given that the team has some effective scorers…just sayin’ he needs to start being more aggressive.
Hibbert had tweeted “Ankles fine people.” on 1/8/12 12:26AM, so hopefully he’ll be good to go and Wells just goofed on his tweet 3 hrs ago…
by FortWayneKarl on Jan 9, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
wait a minute
FortWayneKarl just said hopefully Roy Hibbert’ll be good to go.
"He's like Darth Vader." - Frank Vogel on Larry Bird
All for “Big Roy” and “Hungry Hibbert”!!!
Just expecting nothing less for our Pacers!
by FortWayneKarl on Jan 9, 2012 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
Just hate it when “Wimpy Roy” shows up!
by FortWayneKarl on Jan 9, 2012 5:06 PM EST up reply actions
True but
Until I see George try to actually create his own shots consistently, its really just a leap of faith that he’ll continue to develop into a solid replacement. Right now, he’s just a good jump shooter who occasionally flashes awesomeness.
This game makes me want to barf.
Yes, barf. Cuz it’d be sooo good if our guys are at 100% – it has the potential to be the closest game we’ve played all season. I really hope there isn’t a big let down.
This is a good game to see what our reserves can really do. I’m hoping Vogel lets some of these guys go and push the 76ers defense. I personally want to see Lance take it to them since they will be lacking scoring. What I don’t want to see happen is Dahantay Jones forcing shots over and over. That would be a disaster.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Indy Cornrows
Related FanShots on Indy Cornrows
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- David West hilariously denies each and every one of his young fans a high-five (VIDEO)
- Behind the Box Score, where the Miami Heat are moving on to the conference finals
- Kevin Durant is tired of hearing about the Spurs
- The 10-man rotation, starring your Indiana Pacers
- Blake Griffin highlights, ‘NBA Jam’-style (VIDEO)
