IC Cold Links: Pacers Need To Forget Loss To Knicks, Prep For Playoffs To Start In Chicago On Saturday

I figured I'd get an early edition of the links up before catching the red eye back to Indiana. Fortunately, I was also able to catch the Pacers loss to the Knicks. Yes, despite the loss, I was fortunate to watch on NBA TV since the game was highly entertaining until closing time, of course, when Carmelo Anthonyfinished off the Pacers the way Charl Schwartzel finished off the field at the Masters.

Poof...that win went away in a hurry. The only cause for concern is with the confidence level of Darren Collison and Danny Granger. They came into the game playing some great basketball with plenty of swagger to go along with it. The fact they were essentially shut down at winning time should put a dent in that confidence. I just hope it doesn't send them into a tail spin.

That's a mild concern, though since they have several days before their first playoff game. In fact, it appears that the Pacers will open up the playoffs in Chicago on Saturday. The NBA will likely wait until all of the seeds are set in stone before releasing the full playoff schedule, but since Chicago and Indiana are locked into their positions, plans are in the works. Usually the NBA playoff series will start with either a Saturday or Sunday game, but since the United Center will be busy with a Blackhawks playoff game on Sunday, that leaves Saturday open for the Bulls and Pacers...in the playoffs.

Sweet.

After the jump, a few links of interest from the loss last night. As I mentioned, this is the early edition so feel free to add links in the comments as always.

• Box score
• PACERS: Game Rewind: Knicks 110, Pacers 109
  Game Rewind has all of the notes, quotes, numbers and highlights from the loss.

• Pacers lose to Knicks as Stephenson earns place on bench | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
  Mike Wells reports on the Pacers' loss while Lance Stephenson reacts to his demotion off of the active roster.

• AP: Anthony, Knicks top Pacers for 7th straight win
• Anthony's winner, key block ensure Knicks over-.500 mark - NYPOST.com
  Marc Berman reports on the Knicks pulling out the win in Indy.

• Donnie's ticked off - NYPOST.com
  Marc Berman reports on Donnie Walsh being upset over rumors he may return to Indy. Both Berman and Walsh take Larry Bird's comments to Kravitz about a possible return next year as a done deal. We'll see...

• Pacers coaches already looking at Bulls | The Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
  Mike Wells reports on the Pacers prepping for Chicago while playing out the regular season.

• Knicks 110, Pacers 109: "Not so great game, but great ending." - Posting and Toasting
  The Knicks lock up a winning record and gain a bit of a buffer on their sixth seed with some Carmelo Anthony heroics in a win over the Pacers.

• Game #81 Recap: Pacers Get Melo’d
• Will Stephenson ever get it? | Pacers Insider blog
• Pacers Fans Split On Post Season Possibilities - WRTV Indianapolis
  Mike Wells ponders the future of Lance Stephenson.
• Baseline to Baseline recaps: Start thinking Knicks vs. Celtics in the first round | ProBasketballTalk
  What you missed while avoiding the torpedo of truth…