Both the Indiana Pacers (16-10) and the San Antonio Spurs (23-5) enter tonight’s game as the second seed in their respective conferences. As the Spurs have an impressive home record of 15-0, the result of tonight’s game will be a true measurement for the Pacers and how far they have come this season.

Not only would the Pacers like to hand the Spurs their first home loss, but it will be the first time that former Pacer David West plays against his old team. West was undoubtedly the leader of the Pacers since his arrival in Indiana in 2011 and formed the smash mouth identity that led the Pacers to two Eastern Conference Finals appearances. This past off-season, West made the decision to take a lesser role for significantly less money to join the Spurs in hopes of winning an NBA title. In his time in San Antonio, the ex-Pacer is averaging 5.5 PPG and 3.8 RPG while coming off the bench behind Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Yes, let’s not forget about San Antonio’s biggest transaction of the off-season in PF LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge is off to a great start averaging 16.1 PPG and 8.8 RPG, and has helped transition the Spurs in the opposite direction of the rest of the NBA. Instead of getting smaller, the Spurs got bigger. And it’s working. Besides their remarkable record, the Spurs boast the league’s best defense – only allowing 88.9 PPG to their opponents.

Conversely, the Pacers are now averaging 103.0 PPG – tied for the best in the East. They may be without veteran leader David West, but the young Pacers are now able to pick up the pace and focus their game on scoring rather than defending. Paul George, C.J. Miles, Ian Mahinmi, and Jordan Hill are all having career years and have flourished thus far in the new offense. Players such as Monta Ellis, George Hill (ex-Spur), and Chase Budinger have shown flashes of great play but are still trying to find their rhythm early in the season.

Tonight’s matchup will be based on which game is played. Do Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, and Tim Duncan slow the tempo down to make the Pacers fight possession by possession? Or do Paul George, Monta Ellis, and C.J. Miles run the court and tire out the older Spurs? One matchup in particular will be exciting: Paul George (26.2 PPG) - Kawhi Leonard (21.0 PPG). Although the smaller Pacers may have to match-up differently, these two emerging superstars lead their respective teams in scoring. If Pacers head coach Frank Vogel decides to start small, expect to see Paul George guarding LaMarcus Aldridge. If Vogel decides to start big, expect Lavoy Allen on Aldridge and George on Leonard.

The Spurs have won 14 of their last 15 against the Pacers.

Projected Starters

Pacers: George Hill – PG, Monta Ellis – SG, C.J. Miles - SG, Paul George - SF, Ian Mahinmi – C

Spurs: Tony Parker – PG, Danny Green – SG, Kawhi Leonard – SF, LaMarcus Aldridge – PF, Tim Duncan – C

Injuries

Pacers: Myles Turner – Out (chip fracture, left thumb)

Spurs: None

The game can be found on television on FOX Sports Indiana or by radio at 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan.

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About the author
Evan Morris
I am an Indiana University Kelley School of Business pursuing an Accounting degree. As a former athlete, I have always shared a passion for sports and enjoy discussing the Indiana Pacers.