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IC Cold Links: Pacers Rested, Ready To Face Heat

By Tom Lewis

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The Indiana Pacers maintain a stiff upper lip as they head into their game Saturday night at the Miami Heat where they were beaten and bruised by 35 points on their last visit in early January.

The Pacers lost by 15 points when they faced the Heat back at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Valentines Day but that game played out more like a massacre with a garbage time run masking the 30-plus point game it really was for much of regulation. This was a game that I felt shook the Pacers confidence and sucked the swagger out of their game that Larry Bird is hoping returns.

A win tonight on South Beach would certainly right the ship in a hurry, but even a focused, competitive effort that gives the Pacers a chance to win late would help at least move things in the right direction. Hopefully, Frank Vogel won't have a well rested starting unit heading into Orlando on Sunday due to another extended garbage time run for the bench.

For once, a little fatigue would be welcomed for the Pacers. Speaking of the Magic, Hedo Turkoglu will sit out against the Pacers due to a suspension for contacting a referee in Orlando's win at Chicago. That's one less three-point shooter the Pacers have to mark around the arc for the Magic.

Check out the links after the jump with stories on the Pacers looking forward to the challenge of playing the Heat again.

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