Game 50: Pacers (31-18) vs. Mavericks (30-19)
TJ Warren would sit this game out due to a concussion. The Mavericks were also missing one of their key players in Luka Doncic. Sometimes in the NBA you just catch teams on a good night. That’s what happened here. It seemed like Dallas wasn’t going to miss anything all night. This was especially true for Kristaps Porzingis who lead all scorers with 38. Pacers fall in this one 103-112.
FINAL: Pacers: 103 Mavericks: 112
Game 51: Pacers (31-19) at Raptors (36-14)
A big game for the Pacers as they try to chase down one of the Eastern Conference teams ahead of them. The Raptors entered this game on an 11-game winning streak. After an impressive 2nd quarter, where the Pacers outscored Toronto 43-18, it seemed like the Pacers would coast to a win. The Pacers led late in the 4th when everything started to snowball out of control. A double digit lead evaporated quickly, capped off by a Serge Ibaka 3-pointer with 30 seconds left to give the lead back to Toronto. The Pacers were unable to score on the other end and lose this one late.
FINAL: Pacers: 118 Raptors: 119
Game 52: Pacers (31-20) vs. Raptors (37-14)
For the second time this year the Pacers had this weird situation where they played a team in back-to-back games. The Raptors had now won 12 straight after beating Indiana in Toronto a few nights before. You would assume this would be a revenge game for the Pacers after the way they lost in their previous meeting, but it did not quite live up to that. The Pacers looked great in the 1st half but once again let one slip away in the 2nd half. Toronto wins their 13th straight in a 106-115 win over the Pacers.
FINAL: Pacers: 106 Raptors: 115
Game 53: Pacers (31-21) vs. Pelicans (21-31)
Surely the Pacers would bounce back in this one, right!? The Pacers welcomed a weaker team to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. TJ Warren returned to the lineup from his concussion. Oladipo sat out, because as of right now they are no plans for him to play on back-to-back nights. This game was tight throughout and neither team was ever really able to separate. Jrue Holiday took over late, it seemed he wasn’t going to let his team lose to his brothers’ team. Pacers lose their 5th straight to close out the week 117-124.
FINAL: Pacers: 117 Pelicans: 124
Coming up this week for the Pacers:
Monday February 10th – vs. Brooklyn
Wednesday February 12th. – vs. Milwaukee