We Got This

            The first round of the playoffs began with a scare for the Indiana Pacers. Throughout Game 1, the Pacers and Magic played a close game with neither team able to get a big lead. In the 4^th quarter, the Pacers had a five point lead with 4:00 left. In those final four minutes however, Indiana was unable to score even one point. The Magic shut down the Pacers’ offense while continuing to drain shots. The Pacers missed free throws, open three pointers, and easy jump shots. On the final possession, we had the opportunity to tie the game with a three-pointer. The ball was passed in to Granger; just before a “five seconds” violation was called. Granger got the ball at the top of the three-point line and dribbled around until attempting a shot fake. The fake didn’t phase his defender and Granger was forced to move around on his pivot foot until he eventually travelled with only 2 seconds left. Game over. Magic win.

            Panic ensued in the Hoosier state. Suddenly, the Pacers’ first round gift of playing a Dwight Howard-less Magic squad was a gift we wanted to sorely return. This was supposed to be an easy series for the Pacers; one that gave them time to prepare for a second round contest versus the Miami Heat. It appeared as if Indiana would have to actually give a 100% effort just to win one game.

            Game 2 was played two days later. I was in attendance for this game, thanks largely to Colts’ punter Pat MacAfee, but that’s another story for another day. The Pacers got off to a tremendous start and had the lead after the first quarter. But then, the Pacers’ traditional second quarter collapse allowed the Magic to go into halftime with just a 2-point deficit.

As predictable is the Pacers’ miserable second quarter play is, so is their great play in the third quarter. It seems like every time we come out of the locker room and start the second half, there is a new energy in the team. Our defense improves and starts forcing turnovers which allows for easy breakaway baskets and open looks. These huge improvements between the first and second halves can be credited to head coach Frank Vogel and the rest of the coaching staff.  

In the third quarter, the Pacers turned that 2-point halftime lead into an insurmountable 15-point lead by the beginning of the fourth quarter. Our defense became suffocating and our bench started making their shots. The Magic were never able to even come close to the Pacers, in terms of energy, great play, or in scoring.

The way Indiana played in the first and third quarters made it clear to me that we are going to win this series. In that first quarter, our guys showed that Game 1 was over and they were ready to move on. Then in the third, they reasserted themselves as the better team, right when the game got a little close. They never let the Magic believe there was any kind of magic left for a comeback and won 93-78.

As dominating as Game 2 was for the Indiana Pacers, Game 3 was even better. The series had moved to Orlando, and this worried me. The Magic could really feed off the home crowd, especially if they started making three’s at the beginning of the game.  That did not happen though. What did go down was basically every one of Indiana’s shots. That’s how you really know the Pacers are playing at a high level. For the duration of the season, the team has really struggled in the first quarter.  In fact, those slow starts are what probably cost us a few games. By the end of the first quarter, Indiana led by 9 points and would maintain that lead for the rest of the game.

Danny Granger and David West are playing phenomenally right now. In the first three games, Granger is averaging 20 points per game and West is averaging 13 points per game. This should be expected though. Both players are the veteran leaders of the team and have been to the playoffs before. It is vital that these two continue their solid play throughout the playoffs. George Hill is also averaging double-digit points thus far and is shooting 50% from three-point range. The only disappointer on the team is center Roy Hibbert. Without the Magic’s Dwight Howard playing, everybody expected Hibbert to dominate the post. He has failed miserably at that, especially on the offensive side, in Game 1 and 2 as he scored 12 points total in the two games. In Game 3, Hibbert turned it around and scored 18 while grabbing 10 rebounds.

There is no reason to worry about the Pacers not making it to the second round of the playoffs. It was made obviously clear in Games 2 and 3 that we are the superior team. That’s not to say the Magic won’t find a way to win one more game, but the Pacers should win the series by Game 5 or 6.

Remaining series schedule. Pacers lead 2-1 in a best-of-seven:

5/5- Pacers at Magic. 2:00 p.m.

5/8- Magic at Pacers. TBA

5/11- Pacers at Magic. TBA

5/13-Magic at Pacers. TBA

           

            In other playoff news, the Miami Heat are likely to be the second round opponent for the Indiana Pacers. The Heat have dominated the New York Knicks and currently lead that series 3-0. The San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Lakers all have 2-0 leads over their opponents too and will likely move on. The fourth Western Conference matchup between the L.A. Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies is tied at 1-1 and could go either way.

Back on the East Coast, the Bulls and 76ers matchup got way more interesting when Bulls’ point guard, and 2010 NBA MVP, Derrick Rose suffered a season-ending ACL injury. That series is tied at 1-1, along with the Atlanta Hawks-Boston Celtics grudge match. Nobody has given the Hawks any respect the entire season and nobody expects them to beat Boston.  If I’m an Atlanta Hawks player, I would try my absolute hardest to prove all the doubters wrong.