***Official Pacers Playoff Thread***

[MJ271]

Even tonight when Haliburton’s assists were way down, the team had a ton of assists. His attitude of sharing the ball is infectious. Brunson is a “I’ll get mine” player in comparison.

Some stats to back that up for Tyrese:

I went in search of "hockey assist" stats (the pass to the player who gets the assist). On the season, I was surprised that Tyrese isn't higher (LINK--actually tied with Brunson at 1.1 per game, though in the playoffs Tyrese is higher at 2 per game this series).

But if you sort by passes made (LINK), it's cool to see how Tyrese is separated from all other guards. In the regular season, Jokic led with 75 passes per game, Sabonis was second at 71, and Tyrese was third at 70. In fourth was Tyrese Maxey way down at 61. Really shows how the Nuggets, Kings, and Pacers' offenses really run through those three guys. Also, in the playoffs those numbers have only gone up, with Jokic at 86 passes per game and Tyrese at 81. Josh Hart is in third way down at 64.

 

[HFCS]

Some stats to back that up for Tyrese:

I went in search of "hockey assist" stats (the pass to the player who gets the assist). On the season, I was surprised that Tyrese isn't higher (LINK--actually tied with Brunson at 1.1 per game, though in the playoffs Tyrese is higher at 2 per game this series).

But if you sort by passes made (LINK), it's cool to see how Tyrese is separated from all other guards. In the regular season, Jokic led with 75 passes per game, Sabonis was second at 71, and Tyrese was third at 70. In fourth was Tyrese Maxey way down at 61. Really shows how the Nuggets, Kings, and Pacers' offenses really run through those three guys. Also, in the playoffs those numbers have only gone up, with Jokic at 86 passes per game and Tyrese at 81. Josh Hart is in third way down at 64.

I genuinely think Jokic is the greatest passer in nba history.

Did you see the one last night where it was a loose ball and he kind of flicked it underhand with his fingers not even catching it and lobbed it right to an open guy?

 

[clonechemist]

The Brunson v Haliburton rivalry (at least in the media) is going to be a thing.

Halliburton already lives rent free in the heads of Knicks fans:

1.) they wish they would’ve drafted him at 9 instead of Obi Toppin in 2020, which plays into their (deserved) inferiority complex around drafts and development

2.) his smiling and happy attitude is offensive to their self-proclaimed love of ‘toughness’ and ‘grit’

3.) ever since they stumbled into Brunson, they’ve desperately wanted him to be their next superstar - witness the constant ‘MVP’ chants for him at MSG

The Haliburton Pacers and the Brunson Knicks should have some good battles in years to come

 

[clonechemist]

I genuinely think Jokic is the greatest passer in nba history.

Did you see the one last night where it was a loose ball and he kind of flicked it underhand with his fingers not even catching it and lobbed it right to an open guy?

Check this out if you can: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/...okic-became-the-worlds-best-basketball-player

Essentially Jokic has wrist/finger dexterity and quickness that are literally off the charts.

I’d love to see him take on competitive darts after he retires from basketball

 

[FerShizzle]

Man these bucks are just dirty.

 

[CRcyclone6]

Pat Bev is a pos. He accomplished what he wanted there. Zero sense to run over and grab the ball. Toppin should have just flipped it to the ref.

 

[CloniesForLife]

How was that a foul on Hali?

 

[FerShizzle]

How was that a foul on Hali?

Because the bucks have uglied the game up into a chippy rock fight and the refs want to make sure things don’t get out of hand.

 

[CycloneT]

Carlisle needs to figure out his rotations in the second half. The group that started the 2nd quarter should never be on the floor together

 

[Cmonwhatarewedoinghereman]

I guess Middleton isn’t washed.

Pacers gotta get back in this one. Don’t want to FAFO if dame and/or Giannis come back

 

[GTO]

Every time I see Sheppard's face I think Rob Jones.

 

[Frak]

Carlisle needs to figure out his rotations in the second half. The group that started the 2nd quarter should never be on the floor together

He sat Haiburton way too long in the 2nd. Honestly, Tyrese doesn’t look like an all star tonight. Too passive.

 

[fcclone]

Geez, Beverley is the biggest whiner.

 

[HFCS]

Jfc McConnell is a black hole with the ball during this horrible stretch.

 

[simply1]

No Siakam or Hali in this run

 

[Cmonwhatarewedoinghereman]

He sat Haiburton way too long in the 2nd. Honestly, Tyrese doesn’t look like an all star tonight. Too passive.

He is so dynamic in transition. Clearly the scouting report is keep him in the half-court

 

[clonedude]

Sheesh…. if the Pacers can’t beat the Bucks without Dame and Giannis…. they don’t deserve to move on.

 

[FerShizzle]

Sheesh…. if the Pacers can’t beat the Bucks without Dame and Giannis…. they don’t deserve to move on.

The pacers D has been horrible. They arent advancing past the next round even if they squeak by here. The bucks can pretty much get to the rim at will. And they have made Middleton and Lopez look like all NBA players.

 

[CoachHines3]

i feel like the pacers are cooked

if giannis and dame come back for game 6, they'll be amped up.

game 7 in Milwaukee i dont see as a win, either.

 

[reignofthetiger]

Everyone needs to chill, Pacers are still fine. Tyrese's back pain has been undersold for the last couple of games, he was basically recumbent prior to game 4. The team went into game 5 hoping to steal another one on the road if there was hot shooting but primarily trying to work Tyrese back into health for game 6 at home. I'll cheer extra loud for you all tomorrow night, playoff Gainbridge is as close to Hilton as I've felt in a long time.