The Indiana Pacers are off to an amazing start, compiling nine wins without a loss so far. Eventually, the magic's going to end, but is that going to be any time soon? The Pacers have a relatively easy schedule over their next ten games. Winning their next seven would be the best start in NBA history, a remarkable 16-0. Three games in particular stand out as ones that could end Indiana's impressive streak, and one of them happens to be tonight.
If Derrick Rose (day-to-day with a minor hamstring injury) suits up, the streak should end. The Bulls play some of the best defense in the league under head coach Tom Thibodeau, and their teams are remarkably similar. Noah and Hibbert are defensive centers up front who protect the paint. Boozer and West hit mid range jumpers and can post you up inside, as well as grab boards. Both have promising young shooting guards in Jimmy Butler and Lance Stephenson. And both have superstars who can contend for the MVP in Derrick Rose and Paul George. The Bulls have the upper hand with their fifth starter being Luol Deng, a terrific defensive stopper and competent offensive player; the Pacers have an average point guard in George Hill. But Indiana makes up for this by having the better bench, something that was a weakness for them in last year's playoffs and was rebuilt over the offseason. While Rose isn't back to his normal self, just the threat of him being on the floor and his penetration in the lane makes a difference for Chicago offensively. An Indiana loss tonight probably only happens is Rose plays.
If Rose indeed does not play, they should be able to handle a Knicks team who doesn't play defense, a Celtics team who is better than advertised under head coach Brad Stevens, but is much less talented, and the 76ers on a back to back, who probably realize they need to start losing now if they're really planning on tanking this season. The next challenge is the Minnesota Timberwolves, a dangerous team with the weapons to beat the Pacers. Ricky Rubio's passing ability, Kevin Martin's shooting and ability to get to the line, and MVP candidate Kevin Love are a lot to handle, no matter how good your team's defense is. A post-up player like Nikola Pekovic and slashing forward Corey Brewer complement Minnesota's "Big 3" perfectly. Rick Adelman is one of the best coaches in the game, and you can count on him to have a good game plan to attack Indiana. If the Pacers get past this test, they could remain undefeated in the month of November. The Bobcats aren't going to beat them and although the Wizards have the talent, they're still a young team on the road.
If Indiana somehow gets past all these challenges, and amazingly starts their season off 16-0, they they will lose in their very next game on December 1, in Los Angeles to face the Clippers. Chris Paul and Doc Rivers will make sure of it. But the Pacers won't get there. If Rose plays, I predict they lose tonight in Chicago. If not, I think they lose versus Minnesota. Winning streaks are common, but they don't continue like this to start a season. Players might party too late one night, someone may get injured, or the team as a whole may be too tired to compete one night on the road. One way or another, the Pacers will lose in November.
I think George Hill's pesky defense is going to give Rose a lot of troubles today. If this causes Rose to keep settling for jumpers I see the Pacers taking this game as well.
ReplyDeleteMy fellow columnist disagrees! pacers have their biggest deficit at halftime though and Rose leads the team w/ 14 points. We'll see how it ends!
ReplyDeleteI feel dumb.
ReplyDeletecan't believe how poorly their offense is doing
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