The Day After (Magic vs Pacers)

[Andrew]

ESPN International (Pacific Rim) has already shown its weekly quota of games, so I didn't get to see this one, but I just took a look at the boxscores for the Pacers/Magic game. The Magic prevailed 86-83. Boxscore

Some thoughts:

• An excellent game by Grant Hill: 10/16 FG, 28 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. I'm still remaining cautiously optimistic but who would have thought Hill would be having games like this on a regular basis? I'm probably getting ahead of myself, but maybe the Hall's doors are still open a crack.
• The Pacers dressed eight players as per league rules, but only played six. John Edwards was the only reserve to see action, and he only played 15 minutes. Can anyone think of another team who only played six players?
• Regardless, the Pacers still came pretty close to winning. I was watching the live scores for the last couple of minutes and they were within one in the final minute.

[Jowe]

My highschool team only played with 4 players a couple of times.
But in the NBA nopes

[MaD_hAND1e]

I remember a team did that last year... can't remember which team though, but for some reason the bucks come to mind. I'm sure they won the game as well

[Matt]

i can remember in 97 the Wolves had only 6,7 players able to play for a game....can't remember why

[Fresh8]

damn... how did the Pacers even keep it close???

[Full Surface]

Wizards vs Grizzlies - 2004

Juan Dixon
Laron Profit
Antawn Jamison
Jarvis Hayes
Michael Ruffin
Jared Jeffries
Samaki Walker

I can't believe they won that game with that lineup too.

[Colin]

No Jermaine O'Neal means my fantasy team is screwed.

Keeping it that close was impressive. I just wish Dwight put up a few more points because with the loss of JO my team needs everything.

[SkipToMy_Lou]

Fred Jones and David Harrison were great for the Pacers.
Jones got a career high of 31 points, Harrison career high of 19 points, 8 boards and 3 blocks.

Look like the Pacer bench players took the most of their starting role James Jones got career high boards and points too (12 & 12).

[Fresh8]

Looks like Pacers will benefit as their bench will get experience!

I guess thats the only good thing for having three guys gone and so many injured... when is Bender coming back?

[Matt]

going beyond one game, i wonder what happens to the Pacers season. They went from contenders and possibly #1 spot in east to a playoff team at best. Cleveland should over take them and take 4th spot. Indiana doesn't have it's 3 best players for 25 games, then 1 returns but they dont have artest for the rest of the season which is a blow. Could they miss out on the playoffs even? I think it's in Indiana's best interest to trade Artest, even if they dont get equal value.

[Andrew]

A strong start and some players returning from injury might allow the Pacers to overachieve without JO, Jax and Artest, at least keeping them afloat until O'Neal and Jackson can return. I don't think their season is completely ruined, but needless to say there's very little chance they'll remain on the course they were on prior to the incident.

The Pacers probably can't trade Artest as long as he's suspended, so they'll have to wait until the offseason. By the way, does his suspension include the Playoffs if the Pacers qualify? If it's "only" the 70+ remaining games, will he be allowed to compete in the postseason?

[_marsal]

will he be allowed to compete in the postseason?

I don't think he will. http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/question_041122.html

At the end, it is said:"Though they won't have Artest for the postseason, they will be otherwise whole, not to mention supremely motivated.

[SkipToMy_Lou]

Pacers down 28-23 against the Celtics at quarter time.

Tinsley and Pollard are both playing, with Pollard coming off the bench.

Tinsley is top scoring with 8 points, Eddie Gill has chipped in with 5.
For the Celtics Lafrentz continues his good form with 9 points and 2 blocks.

By the way, Nba.com has updated their courtside feature and it looks pretty good. They are trying to match it with ESPN's obviously.

[SkipToMy_Lou]

Pacers have it won they are up 98-86 with only a couple minutes to go. Tinsley has been great with 29 points, 6 assists and 3 steals. James Jones breaks his career high points again with 22 and 10 boards. Pollards chipped with with 12 and 6 off the bench.

[Fresh8]

The Pacers can prove that they could be one of the most in-depth rotations in the league with this going on!