Lillard has been playing incredible, but as we saw in the 2nd half of game 2 that won’t be enough. A little more quietly, Siakam is also having an incredible series and g2 for him was basically perfect. Both teams need other guys to step up and it’s been years since this franchise hosted a playoff game. If this were game 1 of the series, I would feel differently but I think Indiana got their confidence back with that split and should be ready to put on a show today for the fans. The worry is that this is a young team and maybe the lights get “too bright” but this being the 8th (I think? At least 7th) time these teams face each other this year, the familiarity with their opponent should really help.
Giannis remains out BUT reports are still saying that he will be back at some point during this series. Whereas Milwaukee could fall into the trap of “he’s coming back eventually and then we’ll be okay”, Indiana should feel the pressure to get as many wins as possible before that happens.
Bottom line: I think the momentum from 2nd half g2 will carry over to this playoff debut for a bunch of pacers and don’t really have any reason to believe Milwaukee will match their intensity/energy. Of course, the team that most recently won should always have a bit of an emotional edge but that’s pretty much the only thing I see going for the Bucks today.
Lillard has been playing incredible, but as we saw in the 2nd half of game 2 that won’t be enough. A little more quietly, Siakam is also having an incredible series and g2 for him was basically perfect. Both teams need other guys to step up and it’s been years since this franchise hosted a playoff game. If this were game 1 of the series, I would feel differently but I think Indiana got their confidence back with that split and should be ready to put on a show today for the fans. The worry is that this is a young team and maybe the lights get “too bright” but this being the 8th (I think? At least 7th) time these teams face each other this year, the familiarity with their opponent should really help.
Giannis remains out BUT reports are still saying that he will be back at some point during this series. Whereas Milwaukee could fall into the trap of “he’s coming back eventually and then we’ll be okay”, Indiana should feel the pressure to get as many wins as possible before that happens.
Bottom line: I think the momentum from 2nd half g2 will carry over to this playoff debut for a bunch of pacers and don’t really have any reason to believe Milwaukee will match their intensity/energy. Of course, the team that most recently won should always have a bit of an emotional edge but that’s pretty much the only thing I see going for the Bucks today.
Still got Chet pending for ROY and Rudy pending for DPOY. Asumming the former loses and the latter wins, it’ll be a positive, but I still don’t think futures will finish as a positive category for me this year. I’ve already hinted at this, but next year will be a very different attack.
Pacers energy was exactly where I expected it. Got a bit worried with Lillard going out and then coming back. This is the sort of jolt Milwaukee will get when Giannis returns. It was huge series-wise for Indiana to pull that one out.
I don’t expect to have a play for G4 of this series BUT the G4 result paired with a Giannis return for the “pivotal” G5 could make things very interesting
Still got Chet pending for ROY and Rudy pending for DPOY. Asumming the former loses and the latter wins, it’ll be a positive, but I still don’t think futures will finish as a positive category for me this year. I’ve already hinted at this, but next year will be a very different attack.
Pacers energy was exactly where I expected it. Got a bit worried with Lillard going out and then coming back. This is the sort of jolt Milwaukee will get when Giannis returns. It was huge series-wise for Indiana to pull that one out.
I don’t expect to have a play for G4 of this series BUT the G4 result paired with a Giannis return for the “pivotal” G5 could make things very interesting
“I always take responsibility,” Porzingis said. “If they didn’t call it, it probably wasn’t a foul. Your first reaction is to complain a little bit or like, ‘No.’ But to be honest, just have to keep it moving. I enjoy watching guys who don’t complain. So I want to be that guy.”
How GD refreshing is that? KP has played well in the other 4 matchups with Boston this year and G2 is the exception to rule (I think). Usually a bounce back on its own isn’t enough for me to back a guy, especially on a team with so many scoring options but seeing this, I wanted to at least make a small play.
I have always wondered why 99% of players argue 99% of plays. Every once in a while we get a guy who actually understands that if you build up a reputation with the officials then you can have productive conversations with them and they will listen to what you have to say. When you argue every call, they just block you out or T you up if you take it too far.
Maybe he gets a few extra calls today. Maybe he doesn’t. I honestly just feel good betting on a guy with this kind of perspective, especially in the playoffs, and the numbers certainly support a 20 point game at better than 2:1
“I always take responsibility,” Porzingis said. “If they didn’t call it, it probably wasn’t a foul. Your first reaction is to complain a little bit or like, ‘No.’ But to be honest, just have to keep it moving. I enjoy watching guys who don’t complain. So I want to be that guy.”
How GD refreshing is that? KP has played well in the other 4 matchups with Boston this year and G2 is the exception to rule (I think). Usually a bounce back on its own isn’t enough for me to back a guy, especially on a team with so many scoring options but seeing this, I wanted to at least make a small play.
I have always wondered why 99% of players argue 99% of plays. Every once in a while we get a guy who actually understands that if you build up a reputation with the officials then you can have productive conversations with them and they will listen to what you have to say. When you argue every call, they just block you out or T you up if you take it too far.
Maybe he gets a few extra calls today. Maybe he doesn’t. I honestly just feel good betting on a guy with this kind of perspective, especially in the playoffs, and the numbers certainly support a 20 point game at better than 2:1
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