Will Pacers’ forward Gerald Green carry his hot hand into the NBA Playoffs?

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Pacers’ Head Coach Frank Vogel chose to rest Roy Hibbert, Paul George, George Hill, and David West for what was the Pacers’ last regular-season game.

Gerald Green took advantage of the newfound limelight by scoring 34 points on ten of 14 shooting in a losing effort. The forward only averages seven points a game. “I just wanted to come into the game with the mindset of being aggressive,” Green said afterwards.

Tyler Hansborough added ten points and nine rebounds.

Pacers’ reserves tried valiantly to come back from an earlier 26-point deficit, but it was too late. According to the Pacers’ official website, it was the sixth straight game the Pacers had faced a deficit of larger than 20 points. They even got out-rebounded, which is unusual for the best rebounding team in the NBA.

While Vogel’s philosophy of resting players to get them ready for the playoffs is obviously not unusual in professional sports, the larger concern turns to momentum and sharpness in the playoffs. Will they be ready to play? They’ve lost five of their last six games with the only win come against a weak Cleveland Cavaliers’ team.

“I think this team has a great deal of potential to make some serious noise in the playoffs,” Vogel has said, but there will be no easy series for his team. If he’s concerned, he’s not showing it.

Last year’s team went into the playoffs losers of two of their last three, including a loss against the 76ers. That team went on to knock out the Orlando Magic in five games before losing to the eventual champions, the Miami Heat, in six games. Of course, that team also had the luxury of Danny Granger, who is still recovering from knee surgery.

This year’s Pacers begin their first-round, seven-game series against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday at home, where they went 30-11 during the year.

Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks

Jan 10, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) goes up for a shot against New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 81-76. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Series Tied 1-1

Oh the Knicks and Pacers, starting to feel like the old days with the way these teams have been playing.  With a win by each team, it should be fun to watch the next two games, and who knows maybe they meet up in the playoffs?  Wouldn’t that bring back some memories? The Knicks took care of the Pacers in New York, and really brought the hammer down on them as that score looked closer than it was.  But the Pacers turned it around, and beat the Knicks at home a game after beating the Heat.  Two great wins in a row that were both on national television. It is great exposure for a Pacers team that’s looking for that extra bit of recognition.  The Knicks look to be the team to beat in this division, and could challenge for the Conference title with as well as they can play.

Indiana Pacers vs Brooklyn Nets

Jan 13, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Indiana Pacers power forward David West (21) shoots over Brooklyn Nets power forward Reggie Evans (30) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Brooklyn won 97-86. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Nets Lead 1-0

I might have to start changing my tune on the Nets as I wasn’t a believer of them, but the way they played the Pacers is going to force me to give them a real look.  It looks like Joe Johnson and Deron Williams are working well together, which could mean problems for teams that can’t guard a back court. The Pacers have problems with point guards like Williams, therefore, the Nets could give the Pacers some problems.  David West had 27 points in the loss, and Roy Hibbert got outplayed by Brook Lopez.  For the Pacers to come around and take out the Nets, Hibbert will have to play much better.  Plus the Pacers can’t go on that offensive drought like they did in the first game.  They put up 11 points in the fourth quarter, which is never going to help matters.  Their defense should look to keep a leash on the Nets the next time out.

Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics

Jan 4, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel reacts to a call on the court during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Celtics Lead 1-0

The Pacers get two more cracks at the Celtics, which is great because that first game against them, wasn’t pretty.  Even getting Kevin Garnett ejected didn’t help this Pacers effort. They’ve struggled on Friday nights as they’ve lost three games on those days.  Maybe they’re just looking forward to Saturday. But this past Pacers Celtics game wasn’t pretty.  Getting outscored in that second quarter 32-19 wasn’t helping matters.  Rajon Rondo is always a tough guard, but will be out the rest of the season, which will bode well for the Pacers.  One less pesky guard to run around with.  George Hill should look for an advantage there.  Expect more of the physical play in the next battles, especially after that shot that Garnett gave to Tyler Hansbrough.

Indiana Pacers vs Philadelphia 76ers

Dec 14 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) dunks against Philadelphia 76ers center Spencer Hawes (00) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Pacers Lead 1-0

The Pacers took care of business against the 76ers in the first meeting by outscoring in three of the four quarters.  That’s a good sign your team is winning the game. Paul George did some work with 28 points to lead the way. I don’t think the Sixers will put up much of a fight come the next three meetings, unless the Pacers just collapse against them.  George Hill got a triple double in this one, which is one of three by a Pacers player this season. Roy Hibbert gets 19 points and 13 rebounds to show one of his better games.  Everything was clicking for the Pacers, and let’s see it happen more often.

Indiana Pacers vs Toronto Raptors

Nov. 13, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Ed Davis (32) charges into Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough (55) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Toronto defeats Indiana 74-72. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Series Tied 1-1

Well it says this series is tied 1-1, but what if I told you in a second game that one team allowed the other team just five points in a quarter,  and lost? You wouldn’t believe it right?  Well, this Pacers team did just that. They only allowed 5 points in the fourth quarter against the Raptors and lost by 2.  Now this was way back in November, when the Pacers were still finding their way, so that’s a lame excuse, but still worth something.  Both games have been decided by 2 points, but I’m not worried as a Pacers fan for this since the Raptors probably won’t be in the playoffs, so losing a series to them isn’t a huge deal.  Wins would be nice because they help in the grand scheme of things.  But ultimately  a Raptors team with 17 wins currently isn’t much of a competitor to what the Pacers are doing.