Indiana Pacers News

Pacers Links: Pacers return to action against struggling Hawks

Atlanta surely doesn't want to hear anything about the Pacers limping into the All-Star break as they deal with their own issues while sliding down the standings in the East.

By Tom Lewis@IndyCornrows Feb 18, 2014, 7:00am EST

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Despite a 40-12 record, the Indiana Pacers went into the All-Star break grumbling about their poor play and the need to tighten up their team approach on the offensive end and return to the high-level of play they delivered to start the season.

The Pacers will try to ramp up that effort starting tonight when they host the Atlanta Hawks, a team in no mood to hear the Pacers whining about poor play. The Hawks were the best of the rest in the East for much of the season, but a series of ill-timed injuries have finally started taking their toll. The Hawks arrive at the Fieldhouse tonight in fifth place overall in the East after losing five consecutive games and seven of their last 10 games.

The Hawks usually present a matchup problem for the Pacers but without Al Horford and Pero Antic, the thin front-court depth for Atlanta gives the Pacers an advantage. The only injury issues surfacing for the Pacers is a right elbow injury Luis Scola is finally admitting to. The shooting arm has often been iced up after games but it appears Scola will have to continue working through the discomfort with no plans at this point to give it an extended rest.

Also, as you'll read in the links, Andrew Bynum took part in practice on Monday and is starting to show signs of adopting Frank Vogel's sunny disposition on playing hoops for the Pacers. Although, Vogel continues to deliver a cloudy forecast on just when we might see Bynum actually play for the Pacers.

Check out the links:

Game Preview: Pacers vs Hawks | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS

Pacers Start Anew | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS

Pacers get back to work after All-Star break - Indy Star

Hawks return from break looking to snap skid | Atlanta Hawks | www.ajc.com

NBA Trade Rumors: Jeff Teague on New York Knicks' radar - Peachtree Hoops

Good morning, it's Rajon Rondo rumor central - SBNation.com

Hawks-Pacers Preview - AP

Trade deadline: Five deals we want to see | The Point Forward - SI.com

Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers talk Jason Terry for Jarrett Jack deal - ESPN New York

Sources: Bulls plan to sign shot-blocking forward Jarvis Varnado - Yahoo Sports

LeBron James: 'I can't' imagine leaving Miami