I unfortunately missed game 1 on Sunday because I was busy studying for exams. After that game my dad called me telling me about how awesome we played, how this is the best team he's seen since the Roger Brown, Mel Daniels, and George McGinnis team in the 70s, and that we are winning it all. Because I missed the game and generally try not to get my hope ups because I believed Cleveland was for sure going to win it all this year I was dismissive.

After tonight I have drank the Kool Aid. The sequence at the end of the game is my generation's 8 in 13. I will tell my kids stories about the game tonight the same way my dad used to tell me stories about that game. That was the best Pacers game I have ever seen. We are finally going to win a 'chip. LETS FUCKING GO!!!!!!!!!!!

with all due respect to hali that shot was insane but we need to give more props to mathurin for turning that game around for us. he started scoring and shifted the momentum for that win. just thought i'd say that with all the talk about him the last few games. great way to come back all around by the team though.

MY ASS. PACERS IN FOUR.

Can we have Hali back? 😩🥺😭

This could be a classic let down game. ESPN clowns starting to glaze us and I don’t want any of it. Not a great sign

Go 2-0 no mercy

I want to be pleasantly surprised by the mentality tonight but remember this post fellas. Sports psychology is real. We have to come out AGGRESSIVE like we’re down 0-1

Nembhard and Nesmith are defensive standouts. Siakam and Turner are both good defenders. Haliburton takes a lot of flak but has come a very long way on D and is no defensive liability.

Our bench unit is where we're in trouble defensively. TJ is a liability. Benn and Walker have shown flashes but both have more lapses on D than great plays. Obi never been known for defense, and Bryant doesn't offer a whole lot either.

I still can’t process this. It doesn’t feel real. Can someone confirm what happened?

Without the defensive intensity these comebacks don't happen. Obviously the turnovers are a huge factor. Slightly overlooked is the defensive pressure forcing timeouts when they can't inbounds the ball. Both games the opponent was forced to use their last timeout to avoid a 5 second call(last 2 timeouts against the Bucks). This meant they couldn't advance the ball after Tyrese made the game winner and have to chuck a 3/4 court shot. Love this team.

Im old enough to remember late 90s Pacers basketball with the GOAT Reggie as a kid and even the ECF team with PG but my god this is my new favorite Pacers Team of all time. The way they play lead by our Point God THOG I will never forget this team for the rest of my life

Wildest haliburton go ahead shot to ice it after being down 7 with less than a minute to go since last week

What is crazy is that the whole team does what it takes to get these wins. Nembhard huge steal. Nesmith taking an offensive foul from Mitchell then dunking the shit out of Siakams missed free throw. Myles poking the ball free then Tyrese getting the rebound and the 3.

I am not going to sleep tonight

https://youtu.be/RH9A1yWpyDc?si=TMoZuCrjHlAJsrcF

KEEP THE OVERRATED CHANTS COMING

WERE THE CARDIAC PACERS FOR A REASON

NEVER OUT OF THE GAME

I think he would love it. Not a Pacers fan but I come in peace as I absolutely can’t get enough of the other fanbases and NBA players hating on him, and him continuously shutting everyone up.

Good luck the rest of the way I’m rooting for yall in the East 🫡

Game Preview

Pacers Odds: +9, ML +310, o/u 229.5

TV: TNT

Projected Starters

Pacers

• PG - Tyrese Haliburton
• SG - Andrew Nembhard 
• SF - Aaron Nesmith
• PF - Pascal Siakam
• C - Myles Turner

Cavaliers

• PG - Sam Merrill
• SG - Donovan Mitchell
• SF - Max Strus
• PF - Evan Mobley
• C - Jarrett Allen

Injuries

Pacers

• Isaiah Jackson - Out (Torn Right Achilles Tendon)

Cavaliers

• Darius Garland- Questionable (Left Great Toe Sprain)
• De'Andre Hunter - Questionable (Right Thumb Sprain)
• Evan Mobley - Questionable (Left Ankle Sprain)

I wanted to post this here as I thought it was a relevant topic due to taking a look at Aaron Nesmith's play so far these playoffs. I recently made a video that discussed some areas where he's been performing well and his impact on both ends of the floor.

While he missed a few months due to injury, I'm not sure the average fan, or even some media members (shout-out Lou-Will!) know how efficient Nesmith was this regular season. He had 51/43/91 shooting splits, and while Aaron's been on a tear to start the playoffs, the ways he's scored all reflect where he succeeded the regular season.

Per Synergy, Nesmith was above average ranking in the 61st percentile on a per-possession basis. Though this postseason, he's up to the 96th. Aaron's shot a ridiculous 56% on threes off spot-ups, but he also deserves credit for improving at attacking closeouts, and showing a willingness to get downhill and score, or sometimes create for teammates. While the Pacers' ball movement can certainly help, Nesmith is also good at moving off the ball, which can lead to clean looks, and both this regular season and playoffs has led to baskets off cuts.

Defensively, I think it's undersold nationally what his role is. Listed at 6'5" with a reported 6'10" wingspan, he's asked to defend all types of players. Last series per the NBA's tracking data, the Bucks player he spent the most time defending was Giannis. Though in the regular season, the players he spent the most time defending cast a wide net, as it was players ranking from Jalen Brunson, to Jayson Tatum or guys like Aaron Gordon. We also saw an instance of game 1 of how well he and the Pacers can turn defense into offense, where his block on Donovan Mitchell led to a 3, which caused a potential six point swing.

I went into some other elements in the video, but I'm interested to know how others feel about the impact he's made. This series, I'm expecting him to spend time defending the mix of Donovan Mitchell, Garland (when healthy), Ty Jerome, and De'Andre Hunter. Though his blend of size, length, and lateral movement could give those guys trouble for various reasons. While the shooting might cool off, he's been a 40% shooter from 3 for multiple years now, and the Pacers do a great job of creating open looks, aside from him being able to contribute off the ball. To top it all off, he's on a very team-friendly contract for the next few years, so Aaron should be a key piece for the foreseeable future.

I normally wouldn’t like this type of song but fuck it WHAT THE HELL. WHAT THE HELL. WHAT THE HELLYBURTON.

THIS TEAM i swear I can’t believe my eyes. BIG BALLS ON YO FACE CLEVELAND.

My expectations are officially out of control for this team

That is all.

I’m sick and tired of the narratives against this team. We win? Someone’s injured. Someone’s injured? We’re dirty. We lose? We’re overrated. What will it take to shut everyone up?

Please post. Sure it’s gold!

Title says it. How?

I like the win in the end we showed heart, first 3 quarters we need to Thank Benny Myles and Aaron I gladly take the win but of course nobody can play the perfect 48 minutes but turnovers were a problem.

Refs were totally on the Cavs side and btw as a fan I wish no injuries to any of the players only a fair battle and respect

I’m moving to Indiana next week and I don’t have a basketball team. I haven’t followed basketball since Bob Knight was at IU (my dad’s school) and hand checking was legal. Hell, Jordan hadn’t played baseball yet. I think Larry Bird was still playing!

What’s the Pacers fan starter kit, who do I love, who do I hate and what do I need to know about the team right now?