The Pacers have a favorable schedule down the stretch as they try to hold onto a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. After Indy knocked off the Sixers on Monday night, the injury-ravaged New Orleans Pelicans pay a visit, without three of their top players.
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LOOK AHEAD
The Pacers conclude a five-game homestand on Thursday might when they welcome the Pelicans. After winning just one of three contests against some of the NBA’s best to open the stand, Indiana took care of business on Monday against the league’s worst team, throttling the Sixers 91-75. The Blue and Gold have a glorious opportunity to pick up another win on Thursday against a New Orleans team that has been decimated by injuries.
New Orleans was supposed to make another leap this year after grabbing the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs last season, but things haven’t gone as planned. The Pels stumbled out of the gate winning just one of their first 12 and never fully recovered. It didn’t help that they couldn’t stay healthy. In fact, the Pelicans three best players are all out for the rest of the year.
It’s safe to say that the Pacers, who had no players on their injury report on Monday for the first time in months, should be favored to handle the injury-ravaged Pelicans. Every win is critical for Indy, with just a half-game lead over Chicago and Detroit for one of the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
INJURIES
The Pelicans announced on Sunday that All-NBA forward Anthony Davis is out for the remainder of the season and will soon undergo surgery for a torn labrum. He joins guards Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans and Bryce Dejean-Jones on the shelf for the duration. Additionally, forward Ryan Anderson, the team’s second-leading scorer, is doubtful with a groin injury that cost him the past two games.
KEY MATCHUP
Pacers’ forward Paul George nearly outscored Oklahoma City’s duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook all by himself when the teams squared off on Saturday. His 45 points weren’t quite enough to upend the Thunder, but his display was vintage George. He hit 14 of 29 field goals and went 4 of 10 from three-point range while connecting on 13 of 15 free throws. OKC proved its two was better than George’s one, managing just two more points than Indy’s sharp-shooter in the 115-111 victory. March has been George’s best month since November as he is averaging 24.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and is shooting 38.2 percent from three-point country. George has a great opportunity to bounce back from Monday’s 15-point outing against Philadelphia, facing the beat up Pelicans, who are without their best rim protector in Davis.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
This is a game the Pacers absolutely need to have as they continue to fight for positioning in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Just five victories separate the third-seed Heat from the 10th place Wizards with time running out on the season. The Pelicans are out of the picture in the West and shut down their star Davis with an eye toward next season. With several other regulars out, the Pels look like a D-League team out there. But that team was good enough to collect a home win from the Clippers over the weekend, so taking them lightly could be disastrous. The Pacers have a favorable schedule down the home stretch with seven of their remaining 11 games at home and just three against teams with a winning record. But they need to take advantage and won’t be able to forgive themselves if they don’t.
Indiana 108, New Orleans 97
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