The Pacers advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 10 years on Thursday night after dispatching the Bucks in six games. T.J. McConnell (20 points, nine assists, four steals in 23 minutes) and Obi Toppin (21 points, eight rebounds in 24 minutes) were particularly impressive off the bench.
As Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star writes, the Pacers are just two years removed from a 25-57 season. And at one point, it seemed inevitable that Myles Turner would be traded.
Instead, the longest-tenured member of the team renegotiated and extended his contract with the Pacers in January 2023. While Turner wishes he could’ve contributed more in Game 6 after several excellent performances during the series, he was thrilled to complete the first playoff series victory of his nine-year career.
“It was bittersweet just because of the way things unfolded for myself tonight but I was very excited for our group,” Turner said. “And for the city just because I’ve seen the highs and lows of this, and I know the fans have seen the highs and lows of this over the past 10 years as well. To finally get a little bit of fruit of your labor with this is incredible. We still have a lot of work to do, but for me personally, it means a lot to finally advance, being in the NBA as long as I have.”
Indiana will face the Knicks in the second round, with Game 1 scheduled for Monday in New York.
Here’s more from the Central:
- Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, who missed Game 5 on Tuesday due to a rib injury, was unable to participate in Thursday’s practice, writes Tom Withers of The Associated Press. “He’s still working through some things, still getting treatment,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’ll be with us on the trip, obviously, and we expect him to give it a go if he can.” Allen is officially questionable for Friday’s Game 6 in Orlando with a right rib contusion, tweets Kendra Andrews of ESPN.
- While they’ve won all their home games to hold a 3-2 lead in their first-round series with the Magic, the Cavaliers were blown out in both of their losses in Orlando. Joe Vardon of The Athletic argues that Cleveland should bring Allen off the bench tonight, assuming he’s able to play. According to Vardon, that doesn’t have anything to do with Allen’s performance in the series, as he’s been the team’s “most consistent player.” The Cavs simply have much better floor spacing when they go with one big man in the frontcourt instead of two, Vardon adds, with Evan Mobley filling in at center in Game 5 with Allen out.
- In a pair of stories for NBC Sports Chicago, K.C. Johnson reviews the seasons of Bulls veterans DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. DeRozan will be an unrestricted free agent this summer if he doesn’t sign an extension, while Vucevic has two years left on his deal.
Mmm ribs
I think this will be another fun east match up. Have to think Knicks will be able to slow down the game and play their way. But Hailburton thrives under pressure. Knicks in 6…
Pacers in 7
Pacers in 5.
The Bulls should make a priority to sign DoRozan. So much talent there…
Pacers in 3.
Knicks players better rest up while they can. Pacers are the second-fastest team in the league, and the best of the top 8 fastest (OKC is 9th). The Knicks are going to be running all over kingdom come trying to contain that offense.
Yeah like Philly was going to dominate us. Embiid and Maxey ….. ???? Please
Pacers won’t dictate pace with Knicks. You have to rebound to run.
Was never on the Embiid train (hate him and think he’s soft), and I didn’t say anything about dictating the game. The Pacers are a team that runs more than any other good team in the league. That’s just a fact. You don’t have to jump down my throat thinking I’m insulting the Knicks.
We owe the Pacers ……. They know !!
Feb. 10, 2024 Pacers defeated Knicks 125-111 in New York
Feb. 1, 2024 Knicks defeated Pacers 109-105 in New York
Dec. 30, 2024 Pacers defeated Knicks 140-126 in Indiana
Pacers kicked our butts twice. I doubt they win two gms now. NYK
In two stints with the Bulls, Jordan averaged 31.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.9 blocks. He won five MVPs, 10 scoring titles, one Defensive Player of the Year Award, six championships and six Finals MVPs.
The Gambler !!!! Jordan goes to AC. Night before game at MSG.
Knicks win gm Bulls win series …..
Jordan Ruled for most of his career. Like Wilt and Russell. Special talent.
Good reading.
link to hoopswire.com
Win or lose, it will be a pleasure to watch games without Embid and his antics, and/or how the Refs accommodate them, take your pick.
The regular season games between the teams don’t mean much here. Only 3 total, and in the two losses in IND, we played with short rosters, and in the win at MSG, they played with Haliburton on a minutes restriction. Their style is different than most NBA teams, and could give us problems. Particularly early in the series. But this is nothing like the nightmare matchup the NYK had for years with MIL. If we can avoid a let down after the PHI series, we have a very good chance to advance.