Pacers' defense contains Trail Blazers for fifth straight home win: Running Thoughts
The Portland Trail Blazers were held below 100 points and didn't have anyone score more than 20. Despite poor 3-point shooting, the Pacers won with grit and togetherness.
Here are my running thoughts from the Pacers’ 108-99 win over the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Pacers backup center Jalen Smith is a late scratch due to a finger issue on his shooting hand (right).
Isaiah Jackson is back with the team after playing the past two nights with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the G League. So he will be called upon, and it’ll be his third game … in three nights .. in three different cities.
Based on how they guarded Myles Turner in the first matchup, 24 points in a 16-point Blazers win, look for him to have an offensive night.
For the Trail Blazers, starters Jusuf Nurkic and Jeremy Grant are available.
The Pacers introduced a new feature where you could stream live from your phone to the giant video board from the Pacers app. I haven’t seen that before — anywhere — and it’s a nice feature, but too much shaky video was tough to watch.
Rev It Up: Cubs pitcher Tucker Barnhart.
In Case You Missed It: DJ Bandcamp on being the Pacers' DJ, spinning on game nights and loving every moment
As usual, Andrew Nembhard draws the toughest defensive assignment. Tonight, that’s Damian Lillard.
10:33: Rick Carlisle calls his first timeout less than 90 seconds in after a 7-0 Blazers start, scoring too easily.
Turner finally puts the Pacers on the board with a pump-fake and drive for a layup three minutes in. They were trailing 10-0 and missed their first five shots.
6:54: Second foul on Turner, who scored four of their first eight points and was trying to stay on the floor. Instead, Jackson replaced him.
Pacers being patient offensively if a transition basket isn’t available. dribbling and trying to create.
3:19: A beautiful connection from the young guys. Jackson called for the alley-oop and Nembhard tossed it up to him for the finish. That’s a dimension Jackson opens up and playing the last two nights had to help him find some game rhythm that you lose when not playing.