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With the time off between games in the first round of the playoffs, it is hard to carry much momentum over from one game to the next. The Pacers had two full days off to feel good about their Game 1 win but they have no room to exhale. A let down tonight in Game 2 and suddenly it's uh-oh time. That quick.
All the Pacers have to do is look at the some other first-round action to see how quickly things can change for the better or worse. On Monday,. the Chicago Bulls earned a split on the road by beating the Brooklyn Nets in Game 2. This after being left for dead in a Game 1 blowout. Last night, the Golden State Warriors continued their strong play on the road and evened things up with the Denver Nuggets in impressive fashion.
Should the Pacers take control and win the series, their next opponent may be in good shape. The New York Knicks took a two game lead over the Boston Celtics after the C's looked every bit the part of an aging No. 7 seed in the second half at Madison Square Garden last night. The hopes for a bruising six or seven game series between the two teams may turn into a stroll for the Knicks. But first they need to do it on the road in Boston.
The Pacers need to keep stride with the Knicks while remaining focused on dealing with the Hawks. Time to put the hammer down and put up another playoff effort.
Also, the first rumor regarding a team's interest in Brian Shaw as a coach has surfaced with the Sixers reportedly listing Shaw high on their list of candidates.
Check out the links:
Game Preview: Pacers vs Hawks, Game 2 | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
George NBA’s MIP, but is he also Pacers’ MVP? - 1070 The Fan
Pacers Taking on Hawks, Human Nature | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
2013 NBA Playoffs: Paul George's latest leap elevating Indiana Pacers - ESPN
Paul George Press Conference Highlights | video | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Summer effort helps Paul George become the NBA’s most improved | Fox 59 News – fox59.com
Pacers Playoffs Notebook: Granger excited for George’s award | Fox 59 News – fox59.com
Pacers' Danny Granger talks about Paul George | Video Library | Indianapolis Star
Report: Brian Shaw early frontrunner for 76ers coaching job | ProBasketballTalk
Adjustment time for Hawks (updated with column link) | Jeff Schultz | www.ajc.com
"That next play" is helping Paul George to become a master of his craft | 8 Points, 9 Seconds
Paul George is 2013 NBA Most Improved Player - Sheridanhoops.com
Mike Brown finalizing five-year contract to return as Cavaliers coach - Yahoo! Sports