The Indiana Pacers (15-9) come into tonight’s game looking to close out their three-game home series with their third win. A win tonight would put the Pacers 1.5 games back behind the Cleveland Cavaliers and possibly move them into second place in the East depending on the Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls matchup.
Monta Ellis has been the engine behind the Pacers success as of late, scoring 18 and 19 points in the last two outings. Look for Ellis, who has been reported questionable this morning, to continue his hot streak against a beat-up, struggling Brooklyn Nets team.
The Brooklyn Nets (7-18), on the other hand, have lost three straight - all at the Barclays Center. Jarrett Jack and Donald Sloan will be returning to Bankers Life Fieldhouse looking to hand their former team a loss. Jack is expected to start and Sloan receiving significant playing time Wednesday as Shane Larkin was out with a concussion. However, the Nets rely on big man Brook Lopez for most of their production. Lopez is averaging 19.3 PPG and 8.0 RPG this season.
The Pacers will need to pay particular attention to not only Brook Lopez but Thaddeus Young as well. These two players lead the Nets in scoring as they can score in a variety of ways. Lopez and Young shoot 48.7 percent and 51.9 percent from the field, respectively, and are crafty around the basket. It will be up to Pacers centers Ian Mahinmi and Jordan Hill to make it difficult for the seven-footer. Expect undersized forward C.J. Miles to start against the 6’8” Young. Miles has great post defense for his size and is quick enough to guard Young off the dribble. Paul George may see time guarding Young as well since the Pacers will be able to switch George and Miles on picks.
On the offensive end, the Pacers will need to continue moving the ball in order to get good looks. The Nets allow their opponents to shoot 46.2 percent from the field which is the fifth worst in the NBA. Monta Ellis should be able to continue his scoring streak if he can get his mid-range game going. Conversely, the Nets allow their opponents to shoot just 16.7 percent from behind the arc which is the third best in the NBA. The Pacers are shooting 38.8 percent from this range ranking second. It will be interesting to see how Brooklyn’s perimeter defense affects the Pacers outside shooters.
Paul George has averaged just 16 PPG in his last three games – 10.2 points less than his season average. Tonight, he will most likely be guarded by Thaddeus Young who has a similar build. Both players are long, quick, and athletic. Look for George to be aggressive early and attack the rim off the pick for easy buckets. If George cannot get it going again, the Pacers have plenty of others who can score the basketball.
Projected Starters:
Pacers: George Hill – PG, Monta Ellis – SG, Paul George – SF, C.J. Miles – PF, Ian Mahinmi – C
Nets: Jarrett Jack – PG, Bojan Bogdanovic – SG, Joe Johnson – SF, Thaddeus Young – PF, Brook Lopez – C
Injuries:
Pacers: Monta Ellis – Questionable (sore right knee), Myles Turner – Out (chip fracture, thumb)
Nets: Sergey Karasev – Questionable (sore left ankle), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – Out (fractured right ankle), Chris McCullough – Out (right knee rehab), Shane Larkin – Questionable (concussion)
The game can be found on television on FOX Sports Indiana or radio at 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan.