Indiana Pacers News

Pacers Links: ESPN adds a pair of Pacers games to broadcast schedule

As the Pacers know, ESPN reserves the right to change their mind and alter their broadcast schedule to include intriguing matchups. That means two more Pacers games will be shown to a national audience this season.

By Tom Lewis@IndyCornrows Dec 27, 2013, 2:09pm EST

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What comes around goes around.

After the Pacers were demoted from ESPN's national broadcast schedule at various times in the past couple of years, the four-letter kingmakers are now adding the Pacers for two more national broadcasts against Western Conference opponents. As Scott Agness reports, ESPN will now show the Pacers visit to Phoenix on Jan. 22 at 10:30 p.m. ET.

The Suns were a tanking target heading into the season. So much so, that they were willing to sell of veteran Luis Scola to the Pacers for MIles Plumlee and Gerald Green. But it turns out, Plumlee has instead teamed up with the dynamic guard duo of Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic to make the Suns a surprise team in the West, off to a 17-10 start.

The other game seems like a no-brainer for ESPN after watching the first matchup between the Pacers and Portland Trail Blazers. Portland played fantastic the first time around, holding off a late run from the Pacers, and 43 points from Paul George, to win a game which had plays upon plays being made throughout. So ESPN will show the rematch on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. ET opting to pass on a Kyrie Irving vs. John Wall matchup for the elite team matchup instead.

The Wizards and Cavs shouldn't feel bad. While they are developing teams hunting for respect, they can take solace in knowing the Pacers were in their shoes a short time ago, so they just need to stay on the grind and take that next step.

By the way, anyone else suffering from Blue and Gold withdrawal symptoms? The Pacers will finally return to action at the Fieldhouse on Saturday night against the Nets. The Nets played on Christmas day and play again tonight at home against the Bucks. The Pacers are practicing, though. Here's a glimpse via FS Indiana's Jeremiah Johnson.

Another good post-holiday workout for the #pacers...rematch with Brooklyn Saturday pic.twitter.com/z3NiMFd24p
— Jeremiah Johnson (@JJFSINDIANA) December 27, 2013