On to Portland...now would be a good time to get back to winning
https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/prev...blazers-221204
Game Preview
After dropping two straight and three of four to begin their seven-game road trip, the Pacers (12-10) will be trying to turn things around on Sunday night in Portland against the Trail Blazers (12-11).
Indiana's defense has struggled on the road trip, especially over the last two games. The Blue & Gold surrendered a season-high 139 points in a 23-point loss in Sacramento on Wednesday, then gave up a 137 in a 20-point defeat at Utah on Friday, the Pacers' two largest margins of defeat this year.
On the other end, the Pacers' offense -- which had been firing at all cylinders last month as Indiana won seven of eight -- has become more stagnant. Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton played through a groin injury against the Jazz, but the NBA's assists leader dished out a season-low four dimes, snapping a seven-game streak with 10 or more assists.
"I think it started with me," Haliburton said of Indiana's struggles on Friday. "The ball movement kind of stopped. They kind of forced us to play more iso ball. We took some tough shots, turned the ball over and didn't really get into our offense."
Sunday's matchup with Portland may present a bounce-back opportunity for Indiana. The Blazers had dropped seven of eight before winning Saturday night in Utah and will be on the second night of a back-to-back Sunday against a rested Pacers squad.
The Blazers' recent struggles are linked directly to star guard Damian Lillard's calf injury. The six-time All-Star has missed seven straight games, but has targeted Sunday against the Pacers for his return to action.
Prior to his injury, Lillard was performing up to his usual high standards, averaging 26.3 points and 7 assists over his first 11 games. One of the best shooters in 3-point shooters in league history -- the 32-year-old already ranks ninth all-time with 2,180 career threes -- Lillard has attempted over 10 threes per game this season, although he has only converted them at a 33.3 percent clip.
Portland does have some momentum, however, as Lillard prepares to return thanks to third-year guard Anfernee Simons, whose career night propelled the Blazers to a 116-111 win over the Jazz on Saturday. Simons dropped a career-best 45 points in the victory, going 7-for-12 from 3-point range.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Andrew Nembhard, F - Buddy Hield, F - Jalen Smith, C - Myles Turner
Trail Blazers: G - Anfernee Simons, G - Justise Winslow, F - Trendon Watfor, F - Jerami Grant, C - Jusuf Nurkic
Injury Report
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton - questionable (sore left groin), Chris Duarte - out (left ankle sprain), Daniel Theis - out (right knee surgery)
Trail Blazers: Drew Eubanks - questionable (right hip contusion), Damian Lillard - questionable (right soleus strain), Josh Hart - doubtful (left ankle sprain), Keon Johnson - out (left hip pointer), Nassir Little - out (right femoral head impaction fracture), Gary Payton II - out (return to competition reconditioning)
Last Meeting
March 20, 2022: The Pacers rolled Portland on their way to a 129-98 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in what would prove to be Indiana's final win of the 2021-22 season.
Oshae Brissett led seven Pacers in double figures with 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting and also pulled down nine rebounds. Justin Anderson added 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Jalen Smith and Terry Taylor each scored 17 off the bench.
The game featured one of the highlights of the season, when off a turnover, Tyrese Haliburton threw an over the shoulder pass to a streaking Lance Stephenson, who then went behind the back on a dish to Brissett, who finished the sequence with a two-hand reverse slam.
"I think it's one of the most unselfish plays of the season," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. "It'll be a highlight."
Josh Hart led Portland with 26 points in the loss, while Trendon Watford contributed 17 points and eight rebounds.
Noteworthy
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
TV: Bally Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Tickets
After a seven-game road trip, the Pacers will return to Indiana to host Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>
https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/prev...blazers-221204
Game Preview
After dropping two straight and three of four to begin their seven-game road trip, the Pacers (12-10) will be trying to turn things around on Sunday night in Portland against the Trail Blazers (12-11).
Indiana's defense has struggled on the road trip, especially over the last two games. The Blue & Gold surrendered a season-high 139 points in a 23-point loss in Sacramento on Wednesday, then gave up a 137 in a 20-point defeat at Utah on Friday, the Pacers' two largest margins of defeat this year.
On the other end, the Pacers' offense -- which had been firing at all cylinders last month as Indiana won seven of eight -- has become more stagnant. Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton played through a groin injury against the Jazz, but the NBA's assists leader dished out a season-low four dimes, snapping a seven-game streak with 10 or more assists.
"I think it started with me," Haliburton said of Indiana's struggles on Friday. "The ball movement kind of stopped. They kind of forced us to play more iso ball. We took some tough shots, turned the ball over and didn't really get into our offense."
Sunday's matchup with Portland may present a bounce-back opportunity for Indiana. The Blazers had dropped seven of eight before winning Saturday night in Utah and will be on the second night of a back-to-back Sunday against a rested Pacers squad.
The Blazers' recent struggles are linked directly to star guard Damian Lillard's calf injury. The six-time All-Star has missed seven straight games, but has targeted Sunday against the Pacers for his return to action.
Prior to his injury, Lillard was performing up to his usual high standards, averaging 26.3 points and 7 assists over his first 11 games. One of the best shooters in 3-point shooters in league history -- the 32-year-old already ranks ninth all-time with 2,180 career threes -- Lillard has attempted over 10 threes per game this season, although he has only converted them at a 33.3 percent clip.
Portland does have some momentum, however, as Lillard prepares to return thanks to third-year guard Anfernee Simons, whose career night propelled the Blazers to a 116-111 win over the Jazz on Saturday. Simons dropped a career-best 45 points in the victory, going 7-for-12 from 3-point range.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Andrew Nembhard, F - Buddy Hield, F - Jalen Smith, C - Myles Turner
Trail Blazers: G - Anfernee Simons, G - Justise Winslow, F - Trendon Watfor, F - Jerami Grant, C - Jusuf Nurkic
Injury Report
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton - questionable (sore left groin), Chris Duarte - out (left ankle sprain), Daniel Theis - out (right knee surgery)
Trail Blazers: Drew Eubanks - questionable (right hip contusion), Damian Lillard - questionable (right soleus strain), Josh Hart - doubtful (left ankle sprain), Keon Johnson - out (left hip pointer), Nassir Little - out (right femoral head impaction fracture), Gary Payton II - out (return to competition reconditioning)
Last Meeting
March 20, 2022: The Pacers rolled Portland on their way to a 129-98 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in what would prove to be Indiana's final win of the 2021-22 season.
Oshae Brissett led seven Pacers in double figures with 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting and also pulled down nine rebounds. Justin Anderson added 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Jalen Smith and Terry Taylor each scored 17 off the bench.
The game featured one of the highlights of the season, when off a turnover, Tyrese Haliburton threw an over the shoulder pass to a streaking Lance Stephenson, who then went behind the back on a dish to Brissett, who finished the sequence with a two-hand reverse slam.
"I think it's one of the most unselfish plays of the season," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. "It'll be a highlight."
Josh Hart led Portland with 26 points in the loss, while Trendon Watford contributed 17 points and eight rebounds.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers have lost 12 of their last 13 games in Portland, with their only win in that stretch coming in a Jan. 14, 2021 game that had no fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that, Indiana's last win at Portland was on Nov. 28, 2007.
- Indiana will be on the first night of a back-to-back on Sunday, as the Blue & Gold play at Golden State on Monday. The Pacers are 2-2 on the season when playing on the first half of a back-to-back, but 4-0 on the second night.
- Portland will make its lone regular season visit to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Jan. 6.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
TV: Bally Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Tickets
After a seven-game road trip, the Pacers will return to Indiana to host Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>
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