Tony East here, the host of the daily Locked On Pacers podcast, with your daily Locked On Pacers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pacers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Moses Brown saves the day for the Indiana Pacers
Nov 24, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Moses Brown (3) shoots the ball while Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr (20) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski/Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Pacers Resilience Shines Through in Victory Over Wizards
The Indiana Pacers snapped their losing streak with a much-needed win against the Washington Wizards on Sunday, despite not playing their best basketball. This victory, marked by a 12-point margin, was the largest of the season for the Pacers, highlighting their ability to pull through even when the odds seemed stacked against them.
Key Moments and Players
The game was a tale of two halves. Initially, the Pacers struggled, trailing at halftime. However, the second half saw a significant turnaround, largely due to the contributions from the bench. Moses Brown, a recent addition to the team, was instrumental in this victory. His performance was nothing short of a revelation, scoring the first eight points for the Pacers and providing a much-needed spark off the bench. Brown’s presence was felt on both ends of the court, showcasing his potential to be a valuable asset for the team moving forward.
TJ McConnell also played a pivotal role, particularly in the first half, helping to stabilize the team when their stars were not firing on all cylinders. His ability to penetrate defenses and create opportunities was crucial in keeping the Pacers in the game.
Defensive Adjustments and Star Performances
The Pacers defense was a major factor in their second-half resurgence. They managed to hold the Wizards scoreless for over four minutes in the third quarter, a stretch that proved decisive. This defensive intensity was a stark contrast to the first half, where the Wizards found success attacking the rim. The adjustments made by the Pacers coaching staff, particularly in defending the paint, were key to their success.
Offensively, the Pacers stars found their rhythm as the game progressed. Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner all struggled early but managed to turn things around in the second half. Halliburton’s third-quarter performance was particularly noteworthy, as he found his shooting touch and helped the Pacers build a lead they would not relinquish.
Despite the win, there is still room for improvement. The Pacers have yet to deliver a complete performance from start to finish this season. However, the ability to grind out a win, even when not at their best, is a positive sign for the team as they look to build momentum.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pacers strategies and player performances, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
- Analysis of the Pacers defensive strategies against the Wizards
- The impact of Moses Brown’s performance on the team’s dynamics
- A look at the Pacers upcoming schedule and key matchups
- Discussion on the potential lineup changes and their implications
- Insights into the Pacers bench contributions and future prospects
It was the three second violation heard round the world. Kidding, but it was strange enough that you looked to confirmation of what you were seeing to those around you, and/or rewatched the replay of it several times.
Posted up under the Raptors basket, Rudy Gobert had Scottie Barnes on his back in a mismatch and was calling to Julius Randle for the ball. Beyond the arc. Randle dribbled the ball, unhurried, as the shot clock ticked down. He’s eyeing the lane, would clearly prefer to drive, and even plants a foot to take off from when the whistle finally comes for Gobert, strolling out of the key nonchalantly, with all the urgency you’d approach a dental appointment.
Still frustrated, Gobert then needlessly hip-checked Barnes at the other end, sending him to the line and sending the Raptors up in the match and in momentum. Toronto won 110-105.
You can take your pick for what’s more worrisome, because the perspective shifts depending on the root of a few problems the Wolves face.
That Gobert opted to showboat his frustration is definitely the most obvious, in terms of visibility. It isn’t the first time he’s let his petulant side out on the floor. That Randle saw Gobert — impossible not to with his long arm up and waving — and chose to ignore him, dribbling the ball into oblivion instead, is another concern. The biggest question around the Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns trade was fit — for playing style and chemistry. A slight detail that nearly gets lost in the sequence is that Jaden McDaniels hustled for a really long rebound, swung it to Randle, and the urgency of that move was immediately sapped by what transpired.
Taken individually, these would be wrinkles for a working team to smooth by the next match. And yes, both Randle and Gobert addressed the sequence, with Randle prompting media to “name a perfect family” and Gobert saying “people think great teams are the teams where the sky is always blue”. Normally, I’d enjoy an athlete beginning with a euphemism, in this case, it feels like aversion.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Injury Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has provided a concerning injury update on multiple starters. The team’s depth will be tested in the coming games. (Sports Illustrated)
Trade The Pacers should target a high-profile scorer in a blockbuster trade to enhance their offensive firepower. Strategic moves could reshape their competitive landscape. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The New Orleans Pelicans will play against the Indiana Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Legacy Nikola Jokic continues to redefine basketball creativity with his full-court swat attempt against the Lakers, nearly achieving an incredible buzzer-beater despite the constraints of the Trent Tucker rule. (CBS Sports)
Biz NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill discusses his investment in women’s sports and managing Team USA, highlighting his active retirement and commitment to sports development. (The Ringer NBA Show)
Rumor Western Conference coaches and executives are reportedly frustrated with the East’s playoff picture, suggesting a shift to a 1-16 seeding format to enhance fairness and competition. (Bleacher Report)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) takes videos with his phone after the game against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to reflect on the standout performances and crucial player updates that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With six games on the slate this past Sunday, there was no shortage of action and intrigue.
Player Updates and Injury News
One of the most significant updates this week involves Ja Morant, who has been upgraded to questionable. The Memphis Grizzlies have a consistent pattern of moving players from doubtful to questionable before they return to play, so Morant’s return seems imminent. Marcus Smart is also off the injury report, ready to make his comeback. However, the Grizzlies are still without Vince Williams Jr., who is sidelined for weeks, and Zach Edey.
In New Orleans, the return of key players is on the horizon. While Herb Jones remains out, Jordan Hawkins is back, and CJ McCollum is expected to play soon. Dejounte Murray has been upgraded to doubtful, indicating he might return later this week. These returns will undoubtedly shake up the rotations and fantasy implications for players like BJ Boston and ElfridPayton.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been idle since Wednesday, and Alex Caruso, who aggravated a hip injury, is out again. This extended absence is concerning for fantasy managers holding Caruso. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng’s fractured finger will keep him out for three to four weeks, opening up reserve minutes for Dillon Jones until Jaylin Williams returns.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts.
Back on track after win vs Wizards thanks to Moses Brown Moses Brown scored the Pacers first 8 points and was great when called about. How he led the team vs the Wizards was important as Indiana looked for some football.
Bucks crush Pacers, what gives? The Indiana Pacers were crushed by the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. What happened vs the Bucks? Host Tony East breaks it all down.
The Pacers and Bucks rivalry comes as both teams need a win Indiana and Milwaukee are both 6-9 and in desperate need of a win. Their battle on Friday, in NBA Cup action nonetheless, is a huge game for both teams as their new-ish rivalry develops. Locked On Bucks and Locked On Pacers break it down.
