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The Indiana Pacers posted an impressive effort win on Wednesday with a wire-to-wire win over the Houston Rockets. The league-leading defense stepped up to the challenge to slow down one of the top offensive teams in the league.
On Thursday, the Pacers will try to complete the Texas two-step without stumbling when they face the motivated Dallas Mavericks. After struggling through the middle of the season, the Mavs decided to bond over beards and not shave until they returned to a .500 record. Since then Dallas is 9-3 and a win against the Pacers will bump them up to the magic mark.
After a day off with the Pacers on a back-to-back, the Mavs are making no secret of their intentions to leave the American Airlines Center clean shaven. In fact, they will have a barber in the house ready to do the honors after a win.
Well, Frank Vogel won't have to work too hard on developing his motivational message for the Pacers. Every game is critical for the Pacers at this point anyway, but keeping the Mavs bearded will add a little extra motivation. Plus, both David West and Danny Granger expect to play so the Pacers will have their full roster available.
No time to exhale after a great effort against the Rockets. Instead, time to seize the opportunity to build some real positive momentum on the road.
Check out the links:
Pacers at Rockets - Box score and highlights
Game Rewind: Pacers 100, Rockets 91 | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Pacers open critical trip with win | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
Ultimate Rockets " Hibbert, Pacers handcuff Rockets
Rockets fall behind, never comeback in home loss to Pacers - The Dream Shake
Hibbert dominant as Pacers hold off Rockets | 1070 The Fan – Opinion & Analysis
Hibbert powers Pacers to 100-91 win over Rockets - AP
Game Preview: Pacers at Mavericks | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Pacers Seeking Comfort on the Road | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Pacers Weekly: Frank Vogel | Pacers Blogs
Pacers: It should be an interesting final few weeks of the season | Pacers Insider
Pacers notebook: Granger, West expected back from injuries | Indianapolis Star | indystar.com
Post-Game Grades: Pacers Play Well Late in Clutch City, Put Away Rockets | 8 Points, 9 Seconds
Dallas Mavericks, 1 win from .500, invite barber to Indiana Pacers game - ESPN Dallas