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The Indiana Pacers finally return to action on Saturday night when they host the Brooklyn Nets. The Pacers have practiced twice but otherwise enjoyed four full days off from game action since they pounded the Nets on Monday night in Brooklyn.
As for the Nets, they bottomed out in embarrassing fashion before a world-wide audience on Christmas Day, making the Chicago Bulls look like a healthy, happy playoff contender. Fortunately for Brooklyn, they played another game on Friday night, working out some issues while beating the Milwaukee Bucks. Even the win over Milwaukee couldn't shed the negatives around the Nets as several reports of issues inside the locker room between the players and coach Jason Kidd continued to surface.
The Pacers outworked Brooklyn on Monday, eventually forcing them to give in. They will have to follow the same plan and shake off the potential lull brought on by the inaction this week. The Nets are certainly a wounded squad and if the Pacers give them a glimmer of hope, they will surely seize the opportunity. I mean, there is talent that can make plays to win games with Deron Williams and Joe Johnson alone. So the Pacers have to kill that will early and watch the Nets fade away again.
For more on the Nets, check out Nets Daily. Also, please add your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments.