| Danny Granger normally kills the Nets will his all-around scoring ability, let's hope that doesn't happen tonight |
Background on Indiana
The Pacers are one of those teams that doesn't have a clear-cut superstar, but has a bunch of really good players who seem to work very well together on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Indiana' real strength lies in their depth as they have a deep bench highlighted by George Hill, David West, and even New Jersey-native Dahntay Jones that can produce in a multitude of ways for the Pacers, a team that is 4th n the NBA in scoring defense. This depth and defensive prowess will spell trouble for the oft-injured Nets who are missing a bevy of key players for tonight's game.
Previous Game
The Pacers are coming off of a 106-85 beatdown of the quickly-fading Orlando Magic in a game which was decided by the 2nd-half offensive rampage that Indiana went on after finding themselves down by three points after the 1st-half. The Pacers outscored the Magic to the tune of 58-34 between the 3rd and 4th quarters combined en route to their 8th road win of this young season. Danny Granger lead Indiana with 24 points while George Hill added 16 points and 6 rebounds from the bench.
The Nets' loss against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night in Newark was probably the team's worst performance of the the whole season as a depleted Toronto team without Andrew Bargnani or Leandro Barbosa out-hustled, and out-shot, New Jersey to a 94-73 win. The Nets had no answer for DeMar DeRozan who led the Raptors with 27 points on 8-12 shooting while Deron Williams was the sole bright spot for New Jersey with 24 points and 6 assists. An all-around terrible effort from a team that had been playing well recently.
The Nets' loss against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night in Newark was probably the team's worst performance of the the whole season as a depleted Toronto team without Andrew Bargnani or Leandro Barbosa out-hustled, and out-shot, New Jersey to a 94-73 win. The Nets had no answer for DeMar DeRozan who led the Raptors with 27 points on 8-12 shooting while Deron Williams was the sole bright spot for New Jersey with 24 points and 6 assists. An all-around terrible effort from a team that had been playing well recently.
Probable Lineups
NJN- D.Williams (PG), Morrow (SG), Shawne Williams (SF), Humphries (PF), Shelden Williams (C)
NJN- D.Williams (PG), Morrow (SG), Shawne Williams (SF), Humphries (PF), Shelden Williams (C)
IND- Collison (PG), Paul George (SG), Granger (SF), Hansbrough (PF), Hibbert (C)
Three Keys to a Nets Victory
1. Contest three's- In the last meeting between thee two teams, a 108-94 Indiana win on January 2nd in Newark, the Pacers hit 13 of their 21 three-pointers, most of which were of the uncontested variety. The Nets really had no shot in this game because of the early wide-open shots that the Pacers were getting and subsequently drained, leaving New Jersey in an 8-point 1st quarter deficit, a deficit from which they would never come back from. The Nets need to contest the Pacers' three's in this game so the result from January 2nd doesn't replicate itself tonight.
2. Step into the passing lanes- In that Jan. 2nd match-up, Indiana had 26 assists on their 42 field-goals as compared to the Nets' 15 dishes to 33 FGs. When teams are getting that many assists, it means that they are getting open passing opportunities leading to high-percentage shots. If the Nets can interfere with those passes, then they can cut down on those uncontested shots that normally result from solid passing.
3. Cut down on turnovers- The Nets commit the 23rd-most turnovers in the NBA per game and partly because of that statistic, New Jersey gives up the 5th-most points per game. Turnovers, most often, lead straight to points for an opposing team and for the Nets to have any chance of winning this game, they can't give a good team like the Pacers the additional scoring chances that come along with turnovers committed. Last game against the Raptors, on a few occasions the Nets went down the court, promptly gave up the ball to Toronto, and watched as a Raptor ran down the court for a wide-open dunk. Those are easy points to prevent but they are going to happen if the Nets keep turning the ball over.
2. Step into the passing lanes- In that Jan. 2nd match-up, Indiana had 26 assists on their 42 field-goals as compared to the Nets' 15 dishes to 33 FGs. When teams are getting that many assists, it means that they are getting open passing opportunities leading to high-percentage shots. If the Nets can interfere with those passes, then they can cut down on those uncontested shots that normally result from solid passing.
3. Cut down on turnovers- The Nets commit the 23rd-most turnovers in the NBA per game and partly because of that statistic, New Jersey gives up the 5th-most points per game. Turnovers, most often, lead straight to points for an opposing team and for the Nets to have any chance of winning this game, they can't give a good team like the Pacers the additional scoring chances that come along with turnovers committed. Last game against the Raptors, on a few occasions the Nets went down the court, promptly gave up the ball to Toronto, and watched as a Raptor ran down the court for a wide-open dunk. Those are easy points to prevent but they are going to happen if the Nets keep turning the ball over.
Prediction
The Pacers, when healthy, are a better team than a healthy Nets squad so they are a lot better when the Nets are facing a bunch of injuries. I predict a 100-82 Nets loss but I really hope I'm wrong. Let's go Nets!
The Pacers, when healthy, are a better team than a healthy Nets squad so they are a lot better when the Nets are facing a bunch of injuries. I predict a 100-82 Nets loss but I really hope I'm wrong. Let's go Nets!
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