IC Cold Links: Pacers bring strong effort against the Wizards, hope for the same against the Pistons tonight

The Pacers played a very solid game overall last night against a lesser opponent.  Some would probably take this game as simply a better team beating a team they should beat.  However, the Pacers have struggled holding big leads this year...against any team, better or worse.  So, I'm very happy with the strong overall effort the entire team showed in keeping the big lead and allowing Coach Frank Vogel the opportunity to rest Danny Granger, Darren Collison and others for a longer than normal duration late in the game.  The play of Roy Hibbert, Paul George, A.J. Price, Dahntay Jones and just about everyone else was great, especially George who continues to show his ability to knock down the highlight shot.

Last night's game was a great way to start the post-all-star game stretch.  However, a Pistons' team comes to town tonight that served up a loss to the Pacers just last week.  So, look for these guys to lock down on Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey and others who outplayed the Pacers last week.  The Pistons are in a tough spot (check out the article below that shows how tough of spot, in Prince's opinion) in terms of playoffs, but they continue to show they have the offensive punch to knock off opponents.

After the jump check out recaps from last nights game, previews of tonight's game and rumors circulating from around the league as the deadline rapidly approaches...

• Box Score
• PACERS: Game Rewind: Pacers 113, Wizards 96
  Game Rewind has complete coverage of the Pacers-Wizards game Tuesday including analysis, highlights, notes, quotes and stats.
• Pacers get back to work with easy win on the road | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
  Mike Wells takes a look at the Pacers' solid effort last night
• NBA: Pacers Start Last Third of Season on Right Foot, Stomp Wizards, 113-96 - SB Nation Indiana
  The NBA All-Star Break is over, and the Indiana Pacers return to the court tonight. SBNation Indiana looks at the week ahead for the Blue and Gold.
• Washington Wizards Forget All-Star Break Is Over And Lose To Indiana Pacers - Bullets Forever
  Your best source for quality Washington Wizards news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.
• Wizards vs. Pacers: Washington's listless effort leaves fans frustrated in loss to Pacers
  Game review from Washington's perspective
• Game Preview
• Pistons-Pacers Preview - Feb. 22, 2011 - NBA - CBSSports.com
  The Indiana Pacers are playing some of their best basketball under interim coach Frank Vogel but suffered consecutive losses heading into the All-Star break, including an overtime defeat to the Detroit Pistons.
• Pistons still have a shot for playoffs | detnews.com | The Detroit News
  Can the Pistons finish 15-10 down the home stretch and beat the Indiana Pacers in two of their final three meetings? That’s what the stretch drive might boil down to if the Pistons want to realize their goal of reaching the postseason.
• Tayshaun Prince says playoff spot unlikely for Pistons | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
  With the Pistons (21-37) probably having to win 15 of their last 24 games to have a chance at the eighth and final playoff, Tayshaun Prince didn't like the team's chances.
• IndyStar.com | Landry was there, but now he’s about to vanish | Pacers Insider blog | The Indianapolis Star
  Pacers are taking phone calls, but not in a panic mode as the trade deadline rapidly approaches...
• Granger doesn't like new free agent trend | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
  WASHINGTON -- Indiana Pacers swingman Danny Granger sees the trend around the NBA. Major-market city. All-Star player. The two combine to make that NBA team a possible title contender.
• Essay: Who Is Paul George? " Shaky Ankles
  Michael Pina takes a closer look at Paul George.
• NBA Trade Rumors: Pacers' James Posey No Longer An Option For Celtics - SB Nation Boston
  Indiana Pacers' forward James Posey will not have his contract bought out by the team, according to a tweet from Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix. As a result, Posey is no longer an option for the Boston Celtics, who are looking to add another body to backup Paul Pierce. Posey is averaging 5.1 points and 38.8 rebounds in 42 games for Indiana.
• Pincus:The Deadline for All 30 Teams - Basketball News & NBA Rumors -
  With the trade deadline looming, what are the 30 NBA teams working on over the next 24 hours?
• Trade buzz: Nets' Murphy on move - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
  Devin Harris wants a trade from the Nets, and the team is working hard to oblige him. - National Basketball Association news
• Donnie Walsh 'could care less' if Isiah Thomas helped land Carmelo Anthony - ESPN New York
  Walsh comments on the wild and wooly trade negotiations in New York.