Clean wrote:

DLeethal wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:Dont think it really matters who we start, end of day we need guys that play to play well. Tonight is our season on the line.

We need to help them play well with some reasonable spacing. Siakam is roaming off Precious like he isn't even on the court.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/IanBegley/status/1790402633724805592

Everyone else see that this is a fact but some poster refuse to see the truth. It is what it is I guess.

I don’t buy the spacing as primary issue right now - yes we would love maximum spacing but we are a team based off rebounding first, second and last.

Primary issue right now is Brunson combined injury/fatigue and he has played poorly last 2 games - many poor shot decisions and passing either non-existent or sloppy.

I expect very good game from Jalen and hopefully we sneak out a W vs these turd burgers.🍔

nycericanguy wrote:Dont think it really matters who we start, I trust our coaching staff has looked at all angles, end of day we need guys that play to play well. Tonight is our season on the line.

Preach.
+++++++++++++++++++++
!TONIGHT IS A MUST WIN GAME!
+++++++++++++++++++++

Cannot put the Pacers one game away from Victory.

SupremeCommander wrote:even though our guys are going down like it's the beaches of Normandy I believe we are still in the driver's seat. Indy is not a good road team. This is why getting #2 matters so much, precisely for this. while I don't like our chances in the ECF at all, I do think it is important we get there to further develop our younger guys. Guys like Deuce and Sims might be of immense value to us next year because of what they'll pick up in getting to the ECF

Running with Indiana - what THEIR strength is - is not an optimal solution, it's just not what they are doing now because maybe it doesn't make sense. And also oddly goes against what you would normally do when your offensive engine has a bad foot and you are down to like 7 guys and the whole philosophy of how the team works.

So there is all that.

NYStateOfMind wrote:I agree, this is the next thing to try. Deuce & Precious are off the bench for Burks & iHart. No choice but to run the rest for most of the game. NO Sims without foul trouble. The more injury and fatigue set in, the more this feels headed to a Rocky 1 ending instead of Rocky 2. I hope they show out tonight and play their best. Proud of this team. Let's go Knicks.

Philc1 wrote:

DLeethal wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:Dont think it really matters who we start, end of day we need guys that play to play well. Tonight is our season on the line.

We need to help them play well with some reasonable spacing. Siakam is roaming off Precious like he isn't even on the court.

As much as I dislike using Hart as a full time 4 we have to do it. Our best offensive lineup currently is:

PG: Brunson
SG: Burks
SF: DDV
PF: Hart
C: Hartenstein

LivingLegend wrote:

ToddTT wrote:

Todd bursts thru with good vibes - we win tonight.

I like the ladies with the good vibes

martin wrote:Indiana has been able to take advantage of Precious not being a threat.

Running with Indiana - what THEIR strength is - is not an optimal solution, it's just not what they are doing now because maybe it doesn't make sense. And also oddly goes against what you would normally do when your offensive engine has a bad foot and you are down to like 7 guys and the whole philosophy of how the team works.

So there is all that.

NYStateOfMind wrote:I agree, this is the next thing to try. Deuce & Precious are off the bench for Burks & iHart. No choice but to run the rest for most of the game. NO Sims without foul trouble. The more injury and fatigue set in, the more this feels headed to a Rocky 1 ending instead of Rocky 2. I hope they show out tonight and play their best. Proud of this team. Let's go Knicks.

Philc1 wrote:

DLeethal wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:Dont think it really matters who we start, end of day we need guys that play to play well. Tonight is our season on the line.

We need to help them play well with some reasonable spacing. Siakam is roaming off Precious like he isn't even on the court.

As much as I dislike using Hart as a full time 4 we have to do it. Our best offensive lineup currently is:

PG: Brunson
SG: Burks
SF: DDV
PF: Hart
C: Hartenstein

Respectfully disagree -- I don't think it's spacing it's simply Brunson has not been right. The Hart on Siakim match-up is a no-go (Josh getting torched on most match-ups but particularly a no go because Siakim will always be able to get to his spot and shoot over Josh (it doesn't work).

I like the Burks emergence because he has legit 2-guard size -- would actually like to see us match Burks minutes with McConnell (maybe his size and a different approach could negate some of the McConnell damage). I think Deuce is better suited against Halliburton because he doesn't use his size and shoots low to negate some of his length advantage).

I think rebounding is our greatest strength but we also need more rim protection when we are broken down off the dribble - at this point Precious is protecting the rim better than I-Hart who is a step slow and just going vertical. Precious can swat some shots.

On the other hand - yes maybe we will get hot going small --- I just don't like our loss of length against this team without Precious soaking up some of the missing OG minutes.

LivingLegend wrote:Was thinking outside of the injuries what has disappointed me this playoffs and particularly this series.

Deuce comes to mind because for the life of me I don't understand where his head (and feet) are at in the playoffs. Maxey lit him up good (gave him his strong hand all series) and McConnell looking like Jerry West / Stockton combo because Deuce is defending him like a knucklehead.You should be able to count on D - it should be reliable and sound but for the life of me Deuce has been MIA on that end.

I can't think of 1 picked pocket, or taking a key charge or stepping in the lanes to deflect a pass -- I'm sure it's happened over the course of the playoffs and I know he had some big scoring games but we need to be able to contain dribble penetration.

I love the young man --- hoping like hell he has a solid (or huge) game tonight ---- COME ON DEUCE.

Credit TJ just a bit? Experience counts. This little **** is a coaches son and has carved out a 7 year career and earned 27mil thus far.
6-1 190 lbs. Dude just gets it done.

Deuce is getting schooled and will learn from this. Give the man his due.