With the NBA All-Star Game set for next month, the Indiana Pacers continue to rise after ending a four-game losing streak against the Atlanta Hawks.
It’s not rare a resilient Pacers team would tank when they’re once again destined to finish as a No. 3-5th seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers (14-13) will host Zach Lavine and the Chicago Bulls (10-15) in a expected high-scoring game from both teams.
Domantas Sabonis is averaging 20.8 points and 11.5 rebounds this season with his second NBA All-Star nomination in motion.
If the Pacers are going to defeat the Bulls tonight at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, two keys are vital to Pacer’s coach Nate Bjorkgren’s success.
Points In The Paint
The Pacers will have to find a way on scoring second-chance points and not giving up the easy looks at the basket. Sabonis can be a problem down low and with Myles Turner spacing the floor…the drive from Malcolm Brogdon will make it easier to penetrate.
In previous games, the Pacers were outscored by six points or less and shot close to 52 percent.
If the three-point shot isn’t falling, Bjorkgren will likely have his players get to the free-throw line to put the game out of reach down the stretch.
First-Half Defense
Not only are the Pacers a top 10 team scoring points off turnovers, they’re very deep with throwing different defenders at the perimeter. Turners leads the league in blocked shots at 3.4 and T.J. McConnell is scrappy deflecting passes, pressuring players and denying the ball.
Lavine will look to accept the one-on-one isolation match if he can’t get proper screens to get his shot off. Doubling Lavine will only result in him kicking it out to sharp shooters in Coby White or Lauri Markkanen at the wing.
The first-half is where the Pacers must disrupt the Bulls offense and cause at least eight turnovers at their advantage.
This will be another game the Pacers try to add to their win column as the No. 4-8th seeds in the Eastern Conference fluctuate.