By CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent INDIANAPOLIS – It took the Indiana Pacers a few games to feel it out, but feel it they did. At long last the series felt like a classic, slug-it-out Eastern Conference matchup, not one of fast breaks and 3-pointers. The NBA’s best defense is back. After the high-flying Atlanta Hawks […]
Continue ReadingBy CLIFF BRUNT ISL Founder INDIANAPOLIS — Paul George has done it again. The youngster just dropped another masterful performance in the playoffs. On the eve of his 23rd birthday, George finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to help the Indiana Pacers defeat the Atlanta Hawks 106-83 on Wednesday night. The Pacers […]
Continue ReadingBy CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent The Pacers will try to reestablish control on Wednesday night when they take on the Atlanta Hawks in Game 5 of this Eastern Conference first-round series. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Here are the trends to monitor in what shapes up as a terrific 48-minute […]
Continue ReadingBy CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent If the Pacers win on Monday, their first-round series is essentially a wrap. If they lose, they’ll fall into a tie and face heaps of pressure in Game 5 on Wednesday in Indianapolis. Here’s what to look for in a pivotal Game 4 in Atlanta: Going West: Surprisingly, outside of […]
Continue ReadingBy CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent For the sake of speculation, you could identify so many possible reasons for the sudden and stunning turnaround for the Hawks in their first-round series with the Pacers. Was it Johan Petro’s inclusion in a (bigger) starting lineup? Was it being back home in front of a near-capacity crowd waving […]
Continue ReadingBy CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent The Pacers are 48 minutes from a 3-0 lead – something no NBA team has ever blown -but they’ll have to fend off a desperate team in front of a charged crowd today in Philips Arena. Even tougher, Indiana’s starting guards George Hill (sore right elbow) and Lance Stephenson (bruised […]
Continue ReadingBy CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent INDIANAPOLIS – In the playoffs, it really doesn’t matter how you got there. If it did, the Indiana Pacers are learning, they wouldn’t be lighting up the scoreboard. More than 72 hours after opening the 2013 postseason in grand style, the Pacers doubled down with a 113-98 demolition of the […]
Continue ReadingBy CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent Let’s take a quick look at how the Indiana Pacers pounded the Atlanta Hawks 113-98 on Wednesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. WHY IT HAPPENED: Indiana’s offense overwhelmed the Hawks’ defense for a second consecutive game to give the Pacers a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven first round series. The […]
Continue ReadingBy CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent The favored Pacers won their playoff opener at home fairly easily, and Atlanta now faces a crucial Game 2 on Wednesday. Whether the Hawks dramatically improve their odds of winning the series will hinge on their ability to make successful adjustments. None is more important than improved shot selection. Based […]
Continue ReadingBy CLIFF BRUNT ISL Founder INDIANAPOLIS — So, how great was Paul George’s performance on Sunday? In case you’re unaware, George had the second triple-double in Pacers playoff history to help Indiana defeat Atlanta 107-90 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round series. The high-flying forward finished with 23 points, 12 assists and 11 […]
Continue ReadingBy CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent So here we go again. For the fifth time, and first since 1996, the Pacers will play the Hawks in the playoffs. Indiana has won twice: 4-2 in 1994 and 3-0 in 1995. How do they match up in this year’s first round? Let’s take a look. SMALL FORWARD: Kyle […]
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