Sunday afternoon will mark the first experience with a Game 7 for most of the Pacers‘ roster, writes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Indiana extended the series with a convincing win in front of a home crowd Friday night, but a much different atmosphere will await the team at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks have won all three matchups.
“It’s the ultimate game,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “It’s a great opportunity. … This team has been through a lot of new experiences over the last 3 1/2 weeks and this will be another new one. We’ll do everything possible to get them ready. In Game 7s, it comes down to compete level and how well you’re tied together.”
Dopirak notes that Pascal Siakam and T.J. McConnell faced each other in a Game 7 in 2019 when Toronto topped Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Myles Turner and James Johnson also have Game 7 experience, as does Aaron Nesmith, but he only played two total minutes in a pair of seventh games with Boston.
“The team that exerts the most energy and plays to exhaustion comes out on top and it’s win or go home,” McConnell said. “It’s something that I feel like every player plays for, a Game 7. Excited for the opportunity, but we have to be more dialed in than any of have ever been before. … If you’re not playing to exhaustion in this next game, why even go?”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Cavaliers may explore trade opportunities involving center Jarrett Allen this offseason, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst stated on his Hoop Collective podcast (YouTube link). “I would just say that while there’s extreme interest and excitement probably from certain fanbases to go to the trade machine and work out Donovan Mitchell trades, and maybe those will be needed in a month, we’ll see,” Windhorst said. “I would think the Cavs are going to be spending more time in this next month looking at possible Jarrett Allen trades, and what that could bring.”
- On his latest Lowe Post podcast (YouTube link), ESPN’s Zach Lowe speculates that the Pelicans could be among the teams with interest in Mitchell and that the Spurs might pursue Darius Garland if the Cavaliers decide to break up their backcourt. “I will be surprised if Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are both on the Cavaliers next season,” Lowe said. Which guard is more likely to land on the trade block will depend on whether or not Mitchell agrees to an extension.
- A sprained knee limited Quentin Grimes to six games after the Pistons acquired him from New York at the trade deadline, but he should enter training camp with a chance to earn significant playing time, according to Keith Langlois of NBA.com. Grimes is eligible for a rookie scale extension this summer.
Garland would be better than Trae for the Spurs. More of a table setter, less ego and would fit into coach pops system easier.
However I think they could very easily get their point guard of the future in the upcoming draft.
Nikola Topic looks really good. He’s got great size (6’6), he’s not even 19 years old. He had good shooting splits of 50-31-88. Yes he lacks a good consistent three point shot but his free throws percentage indicates he’s got a good stroke and it can be developed.
He really gives off Luka Doncic vibes, obviously both coming from Europe. Both not great athletically, near enough the same size, both not great outside shooters, but both really high IQ. Luka definitely had more experience and played in a harder league but Nikola has a lot of the same skills and looks a lot better defensively. Even if you’re only getting 70% of what Luka does it’s a great pick.
If you’d rather more of a shooting threat then there’s Rob Dillingham from Kentucky. Firstly a lot of Kentucky guards translate to the NBA well. Fox, SGA, Maxey, IQ, Herro, Murray and Booker to name a few. Dillingham averaged 15-4-3 shooting 48-44-80 and he’s a three level, athletic, score first guard like some of the guys above him.
If I’m the Spurs I’d rather save the draft capital and not rush this right now. I’d really like to see them get Topic at 4 and see him blossom into a great traditional point guard and then you’ve got yourself two elite young players much like OKC have in SGA and Chet and then maybe you look to trade for a star wing to pair but give it time.
Also interesting the Brain Windhorsy take about Jarrett Allen.
I think realistically the Cavs will only be true contenders if they settle on one of the two bigs they have. Mobley has the higher ceiling so he’s the clear guy to keep and Allen then is the odd man out.
So say you have Spida and Mobley who’s the perfect 3rd star to add that you want your team to be built around. Ideally a forward, probably 6’7 that can give you 20 points per game consistently, is solid defensively, can space the floor but is more than likely going to play second fiddle to Donovan.
Whoever that is, is who they should be targeting using Garland and Allen as the trade chips.
Brandon Ingram, doesn’t space the floor, isn’t exactly lock down defensively, doesn’t have that much positional versatility and has struggled in the playoffs. I don’t think he’s your guy although it is easy to see why they may settle for him.
He’s not being spoken about cause he’s basically untouchable but Mikal Bridges would be really good fit. Although he lacks in size a little, he can shoot, he can defend and he’s a leader which is something Donovan seems to have struggled with at times.
The other obvious one would be LeBron but I doubt he picks the family up and moves back across the country for a couple more years of ball back in Cleveland now that’s he’s so settled out West and has all the off the court business stuff happening.
Indy needs to Control the rhythm, no Bad passes, smart D. Double up on JB. Need big games from turner, siakam, haliburton. Bench needs to contribute. Attack the boards. Attack the boards. And attack the boards.