Almost months after the abrupt end of their season, the Pacers (39-26) will resume their 2019–20 crusade on Saturday night, pitting the Philadelphia 76ers (39-26) in the first of the 8 playoff games in Orlando.
The COVID-19 pandemic has radically replaced life around the world by 2020, however, NBA enthusiasts will return to some point of normal this week when the league officially re-clocked. So far, the league’s “bubble” has been a wonderful success, with no positive testing since July 13, which generated optimism for an uninterrupted conclusion of the normal season and the playoffs.
The Pacers have officially secured a spot in the playoffs, but the next eight games will be their qualification and their first-round game. Saturday’s game is especially vital as Indiana and Philadelphia are recently tied for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers have lately maintained the tiebreaker over the Sixers with a 2-1 lead in the season series. A victory on Saturday would ensure a tiebreaker forever.
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Indiana will run out of an All-Star when the season resumes, as Striker Domantas Sabonis has left the bubble to seek a medical remedy for plantar fasciitis that is “indefinitely”.
However, Pacers can take advantage of the double All-Star Victor Oladipo. Oladipo had originally planned not to participate in the reboot, but has reconsidered its resolution since arriving in Orlando. He has played in all 3 scrums over the past week, averaging 11.3 problems and 6.0 rebounds in a few limited minutes and is expected to soon make a definitive resolution on his prestige.
Indiana’s main goal on Saturday will be to involve the All-NBA mediate Joel Embiid. Embiid has played either pacers’ two wins against Philadelphia this season, but has traditionally kicked Blue and Gold. He had 32 problems and 11 rebounds while recording a record 15 of 15 in the free-range line in the Sixers’ 119-116 win over Indiana on November 30.
With Sabonis and half-rookie Goga Bitadze out, the Pacers have limited intensity in position. Myles Turner will perform the main task of remaining Embiid, but hopes head coach Nate McMillan will combine his caps (and even play in an area) to keep Turner out of trouble.
76ers: Raul Neto – probable (low back contraction), Glenn Robinson III – in doubt (left hip pointer)
January 13, 2020: Malcolm Brogdon hit two major shots and scored 8 out of 10 problems for Indiana to lead the Pacers to a 101-95 win over Philadelphia at Bankers Lifehouse Field. Brogdon had played 8 minutes since December 22 while battling a lot of minor ailments and battling rust for much of the game, starting the night with 3 out of 12 from the field, but his confidence never wavered.
“I was just hoping to get my pace back at the end of the game,” Brogdon said after the win. “I was able to do it. My teammates really accept the ball as true to me and accept how true I am to do it.”
Brogdon finished with 21 problems, seven rebounds, nine assists and a loss of the ball on his return to the line-up. T.j. Warren also scored 21 points on 8 of thirteen shots in the win. Justin Holiday hit four of 6-3 numbers on his way to 14 problems, while Myles Turner (1 four numbers, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks) and Domantas Sabonis (10 numbers and 16 beads) had double-doubles.
Ben Simmons led all scorers with 24 problems in 10 of 17 shots to pass with 14 rebounds and 3 assists. Josh Richardson added 23 problems in defeat.
After a five-game road trip, the Pacers return to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to receive Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. Et. Find Tickets”
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Jack’s Donuts: Visit your local Jack’s Donuts the day after the Pacers’ victory and mention the Pacers’ victory for a 12-ounce loose coffee or a doughnut with any purchase. Visit JacksDonuts.com to Jack’s Donuts nearest you.
Papa John’s Pacers90: The day after the Pacers scored 90 numbers or more, you get a 50% discount on online pizza at the menu price. Place your order online in papajohns.com with the promo code PACERS90. Offer valid in central Indiana. –