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The Pacers (15-9) try to find their shooting touch to put themselves in position to beat the Celtics (17-5) on Wednesday night.
After a rough shooting night contributed to a losing effort against the Clippers on Monday, the Pacers try to win their second game of the year against a team with a winning record (although they beat the Nets twice before BKY’s recent heat wave). Not only do the C’s have a winning record but they have the third best record in all of the NBA and have just added local legend Gordon Hayward back to the mix.
With Hayward in the lineup, the C’s have a trio of players that don’t fit your traditional shooting guard nor power forward definition which could present of problem for the Pacers double-big approach IF the Pacers are unable to make the matchup work in their favor. With the recent offensive struggles of Myles Turner that seems like a big ask, but the opportunity is there for the big fella.
Marcus Smart is dealing with an eye infection which could limit (or rule out) the C’s heart and soul. That could open up minutes for another local legend, Carson Edwards (Purdue). Another local legend, former Mr. Indiana/Hoosier/New Albany Bulldog Romeo Langford is also expected to be available for the C’s.
All of these Indiana connections and I haven’t even mention Brad Stevens the local legend coach by way of Zionsville/DePauw/Butler. BLF may set a record for friends and family tickets for an opponent tonight.
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
When: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX Sports Indiana
Radio: 107.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan
Projected Starting Lineups:
Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb, T.J. Warren, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner
Celtics: Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum, Daniel Theis
Injury update:
IND: Victor Oladipo (knee) - out, JaKarr Sampson (back) - questionable
BOS: Marcus Smart (eye) - questionable, Robert Williams (hip) - out
Enemy view: Celtics Blog
Please leave your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments.