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Basketball may have stopped for Paul George this season, but the show must still go on for the Indiana Pacers. As such, the Blue-and-Gold's 2014-15 preseason schedule was officially released by the team Tuesday afternoon.
Opening their seven-game exhibition schedule against the Minnesota Timberwolves (Oct. 7) and then later making a trip to David West's Alma mater (Xavier) for a match-up against LeBron's Cavaliers (Oct. 15), the Pacers are guaranteed, one way or another, to get an early preview of the Class of 2014's No.1 draft pick, Andrew Wiggins.
Another notable highlight on the schedule is, of course, the final match-up of the preseason against old friend and now, former Pacer, Lance Stephenson. Since the Pacers will be on the road in Charlotte (Oct. 23), maybe Lance's former teammates can get treated to a free meal:
@StephensonLance Damn bro gonna miss having you around. One of the funniest teammates I've ever had. Dinner on you when we come to Char!
— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) July 16, 2014
More than the notoriety of specific opponents, the preseason will likely serve the Pacers well, as it will provide Frank Vogel the opportunity to begin adjusting for the loss of Paul George as well as get a better sense for the fit of some of the team's freshly acquired players, including Rodney Stuckey, C.J. Miles, and Damjan Rudez.
The entire seven-game schedule, including three games taking place at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, is as follows:
- Tuesday Oct. 7 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 7:00 p.m.
- Friday Oct. 10 vs. Orlando Magic, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday Oct. 12 @ Dallas Mavericks, American Airlines Arena, 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday Oct. 15 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Cintas Center, Cincinnati, 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday Oct. 18 vs. Dallas Mavericks, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday Oct. 21 @ Minnesota Timberwolves, Target Center, 8:00 p.m.
- Thursday Oct. 23 @ Charlotte Hornets, Time Warner Arena, 7:00 p.m.