Host

Phoenix Suns  (11-18)

The state of Indiana can use some hot sun to melt away this snow sitting around, and there’s more snow on the way.  But Banker’s Life Fieldhouse will be warm and toasty as the Pacers FINALLY get to play a game of basketball.  Off for almost a week, I am hoping the team isn’t too rusty.  They were scheduled to play Wednesday night against the Bulls until that got postponed three hours before tip off.  Still no word on the make up game, but that one should be quite the game.  Tonight the Pacers get the Suns coming off three straight losses and possibly without their best player in Goran Dragic.  The Pacers could be without the services of Lance Stephenson and Gerald Green who are being listed as day to day with small injuries.  Green hurt himself in the game last Saturday, so it remains to be seen if he’s going tonight.

But the Pacers should be able to take advantage of a weak Suns team with some power in the post.  Roy Hibbert hopefully can continue to play through the wrist injury that was just brought up a week ago, and has affected his shot. Many people were questioning what was wrong with Hibbert, but nothing was definite.  Now that word is out that his right wrist was feeling weak, that could be why his shooting was so low.  He was using his left hand more often, and couldn’t power through with the right as much.  But it looks to be improving and as long as Hibbert plays well on the defensive end, this team can win.

David West is coming off a great second half against the Hornets, where he scored 20 out his 25 points.  Tonight I look for him to step up and come out strong in all quarters.  With the rest this team has had, I hope they come out strong and put the Suns away early.  Even if they can’t put it away early, I can see the Pacers winning this game by double figures.

March 23, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers small forward Danny Granger (33) shoots the ball against Phoenix Suns small forward Grant Hill (33) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Phoenix defeated Indiana 113-111. Mandatory credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

Phoenix Suns Off Season Recap

This Phoenix Suns team will look dramatically different with the loss of Steve Nash.  He was the face of that franchise, and I’m not sure who you would call the new face of the team.  There were some good signings that came along, but it’s going to be hard to replace what’s missing with Nash.  Phoenix made sure they got something out of trading Steve Nash, and what they got was 2013 and 2015 first-rounders, 2013 and 2014 second-rounders, $3 million and an $8.2 million trade exception, increasing its flexibility.  This could lead to something bigger in the future, but what about the present.  The Suns did what they could for the point guard position with the agreeing on a contract for Goran Dragic for four years, $30 million.  He’ll have to fill that void left, and we’ll see what he can do.  Phoenix also signed Michael Beasley, who’s never looked like the player he was coming out of college. Perhaps this is the team that gets his act together.  Jermaine O’Neal is coming to the Suns, and says he’s as healthy as he’s ever been.  Pacer fans have heard that tune plenty of times, so we’ll see how long Jermaine O’Neal ends up playing there.  The Suns also landed swing man Wesley Johnson.  Shannon Brown fills a void at shooting guard for the team.  Finally, end of the bench signing of P.J. Tucker gives the Suns a roster spot of a player who’s not played in the NBA for five years.  That’s an interesting signing.

All of these moves and maybe the Suns can sneak into the playoffs based upon some of the youth there.  More than likely, this is a team rebuilding and stocking up on some players for the next seasons.  If a guy like Dragic can get his game going, perhaps there’s a playoff berth.  The West is loaded with teams, so I don’t see that happening this season. It might be a few more seasons before we see the Suns back at playoff contention.

Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns Match Up

This is a match up the Pacers have to take advantage of as the Suns will be in rebuilding mode, and the Pacers are the better team.  It should interesting to see how Marcin Gortat and Roy Hibbert match up in the post position as last season those guys had a pretty good battle against each other.

Hibbert will definitely be looking to get more active against the better centers, and Gortat is a better center in the West.  It’s important for Hibbert to establish himself against the type of player, and show that’s becoming a top center himself.

I would look for Paul George and Danny Granger to have good games against the swing men of the Suns as they’re better players than those.  Defensively, they could step up their game as well, and lock down on guys like Wesley Johnson and Shannon Brown.

With the Suns going in the direction of rebuilding and the Pacers in the process of contending, I think the Pacers take the series and get a couple of wins against a Western Conference team.

]]> http://alwaysmillertime.com/2012/09/13/indiana-pacers-and-phoenix-suns-preseason-preview/feed/ 0