I think Indy wins one or two games. Detroit is just too good on offense and defense. Maybe the Pacers can play above their heads and extend it to 7 games. If the Pacers beat the Pistons, I wouldn't care what else happened in the Eastern Conference. That would be the perfect script for me. Let the Heat go to the Finals.
reggie is the only thing left to remind us of the 90's, and it is very refreshing to watch him play. although detroit will win i dont want to see him go down without putting up a fight.
I don't think it's unrealistic to believe that the Pacers can hang with Detroit. -I doubted that they could compete with 6 healthy players suited up & they did. -I doubted that they could be even a .500 team until Jermaine O'Neal and Steven Jackson got back from suspension & they did. -I doubted that they would make the playoffs once Jermaine O'Neal went down with the shoulder separation & they did. -I doubted that they could win a 7th game in a hostile fan environment and they did. If anything we should learn that while it is totally reasonable to be realistic about the team, it's not really smart to doubt them. Rick Carlisle is certainly a great coach, the players are very focused, and they believe. Lots of "IFs" for sure--If Tinsley plays strong after all his time off, if Jermaine's shoulder continues to heal, and if Steven Jackson doesn't do any more damage to his knee, if Fred Jones and Jame Jones provide G depth. If these things happen, the team becomes deeper and healthier than they have been all season. Advancing for your 39-year old retiring franchise player is both a great story and a great motivating factor.
Well well whadya know? It's 1-1. I still think the Pistons will win in 5 or 6 games but the Pacers beating them in this series (for me) will almost make up for the Rox losing to the Mavs. I won't get my hopes up on the Pacers because my heart has already been broken by the Rox.
just a question, is Artest allowed in the Palace? or for that matter, will he back in Coseco when Indy returns? just to cheer on his team, of course, but i was wondering if he was banned from NBA buildings for the season...
I'm not watching the game but looking at the halftime box score (and ignoring the points totals), how in the world are the Pacers up 14? I guess it Jamaal's 3-3, 2-2 (3pt), 1-3 (FT) for 11 points. Pacers, please don't break my heart. Justice would be done if you win this series but I won't allow myself to get emotionally involved with the team unless they make the ECFs.
Rick Carlisle deserves huge credit for the work he's done with this team. He's basically a carbon copy of Larry Brown (only without the health problems).
