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Hornets vs. Pacers Links: Miles Plumlee, Orlando Johnson to play D-League games for Fort Wayne

The Pacers are actually using their D-League affiliate to give rookies Johnson and Plumlee some court time this weekend.

By Tom Lewis

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Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

The Indiana Pacers return home to play the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night as they once again try to build on a win and build a little momentum before Thanksgiving.

The team announced today that rookies Miles Plumlee and Orlando Johnson will not be with the team when they play the San Antonio Spurs on Friday and instead will get some run with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants for two games in the D-League this weekend.

The Pacers have stayed away from sending players down to the D-League in the past for various reasons, but the option makes perfect sense for Plumlee and Johnson. Both players need to play and the time will give the Pacers a chance to evaluate their young players a little better, so I'll give Kevin Pritchard the nod for making this happen.

The Mad Ants appear happy to see the Pacers take advantage of their D-League affiliate just up I-69.

"We could not be happier to have Miles and Orlando join our team for these first two games," said Mad Ants head coach Duane Ticknor. "We think we can provide both players a great opportunity to improve their games, and I am excited for this watershed moment in our partnership with the Pacers."

For now, Plumlee and Johnson are scheduled to play in Fort Wayne's next two games against Erie on Friday and Maine on Sunday and then re-join the Pacers for their West Coast roadie next week.

Check out the links:

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Hornets vs. Pacers: Game coverage

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