Without Domantas Sabonis the Pacers were likely to under perform, especially to start the NBA bubble. Anytime you lose an all-star that’s the assumption anyone would make, but you know what they say about assuming. The Pacers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA bubble with a record of 4-1. TJ Warren has been on a tear. When you start to Google TJ Warren’s name one of the first things that pops up as it tries to guess what you are typing in is “TJ Warren Bubble God”. Warren leads in the bubble in points per game averaging 34.8 points.
In the last game for the Pacers Warren matched up against Lakers’ big man Anthony Davis. Davis is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and usually in the conversation for MVP. Warren dropped 39 points on 15-22 shooting and held Davis to 8 points on 3-14 shooting. Warren is getting it done on both sides of the floor for the Pacers and right now if you’re a basketball fan he is must see TV.
The next match-up for the Pacers will be personal again for Warren. The last time we all felt it was personal for Warren was when the Pacers played Warren’s former team the Phoenix Suns. The Suns traded Warren in the off-season for only cash considerations and heading into the game both teams were undefeated in the bubble. Warren struggled to score and seemed to be forcing his shot. The Pacers lost their first and only game so far to the Suns in that one. This time Warren will be matched up against Jimmy Butler. The last time these two met things got a little out of hand. In the post-game press conference Butler said Warren “wasn’t even in his league”.
The Pacers and Heat are tied for the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. With the 76ers only a game behind both teams it could really change the standings heading into the playoffs, especially with these teams playing twice over the final three games. The Pacers need Warren to continue his incredible play. The Pacers will need to come out strong in both games. They don’t want to slip down to the sixth spot, and this could be a potential first-round playoff match-up, so flexing some muscle before you get there would be beneficial.