nycericanguy wrote:

DLeethal wrote:After game 2 against Boston is was exhilarating to be up 2-0 but I didn’t feel good about how we were playing, falling down 20 in each game. It didn’t seem like we had legit control of the series and just kind of stole a couple games. Last nights win doesn’t feel good either. But we followed the Boston games up with two of our best games of the season. We can do something similar here and regain control of momentum and get the upper hand again. Next game feels like game 4 against Boston in a big way.

i feel good. the emergence of Wright, and Thibs willing to start Mitch. Hopefully something clicked defensively now.

3 games, 149 minutes and IND has outscored us by 2 points total. This is an even series so far and we could easily be up 2-1.

This

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/FredKatz/status/1926846349556728109

Down 2-0 Thibs didn't guess or tinker... he went with what Thibs does best, and found a quick way to inject some juice into his defense. That's what Thibs does and that's his strength. Biggest move for me was Wright over Payne. We are not getting good PG play from Brunson or Payne, might as well go with a guy who's going to give you quality defense. Found a way to eat some of Brunson/KAT's minutes (foul trouble), went big and held the Pacers to fewer points every quarter. I love what Thibs does and how his players respond.

Game 4 is the season. I have some really high hopes and I think we found some things. I love that we won and got a **** game from Brunson. He's going to bounce back. Mikal is going to bounce back. McBride is getting his confidence and he and Wright are a nice counter to the Pacers who play 10 small quick guys. Shamet also. No Cam. Sorry man.

Superstar moments for KAT. He's not getting the supermax for no reason. Dude is just a scoring machine and when those 3s start hitting dear god. The sheer domination of KAT in the 4th qtr was MVP caliber play. What you expect from Jokic/Giannis types. Just phucking awesome.

If we can find a way to win game 4 the thrill is ON!

I think moving forward Thibs needs to slow this down, make it a physical half court game and stick the 9 guys. Grind every possession and let our size wear them down while relying on Bruson/KAT as the best scorers on the floor for both teams.

We are continually able to break down their defense when we are patient. Sometimes it's moving the ball. Sometimes it's just KAT/Mikal/Brunson pounding the ball for 15 seconds until Indy panics and does something stupid.

I hate the phucking Pacers... PLS can we win tomorrow?

fishmike wrote:I love this team, I love this squad of players and I love the coach.

Down 2-0 Thibs didn't guess or tinker... he went with what Thibs does best, and found a quick way to inject some juice into his defense. That's what Thibs does and that's his strength. Biggest move for me was Wright over Payne. We are not getting good PG play from Brunson or Payne, might as well go with a guy who's going to give you quality defense. Found a way to eat some of Brunson/KAT's minutes (foul trouble), went big and held the Pacers to fewer points every quarter. I love what Thibs does and how his players respond.

Game 4 is the season. I have some really high hopes and I think we found some things. I love that we won and got a **** game from Brunson. He's going to bounce back. Mikal is going to bounce back. McBride is getting his confidence and he and Wright are a nice counter to the Pacers who play 10 small quick guys. Shamet also. No Cam. Sorry man.

Superstar moments for KAT. He's not getting the supermax for no reason. Dude is just a scoring machine and when those 3s start hitting dear god. The sheer domination of KAT in the 4th qtr was MVP caliber play. What you expect from Jokic/Giannis types. Just phucking awesome.

If we can find a way to win game 4 the thrill is ON!

I think Thibs is good coach but you are more of a Thibs guy than I am....I give him credit for finally pulling the plug on Cam and inserting Wright. something I've been calling for since the Celtics series...I love that Thibs sat Brunson as long as he did in the 4th when that unit that was on the floor was playing well. It's one of the reasons, along with Kats eruption in the 4th, why we won. With that said, not sitting Brunson long enough in game 1 may have cost us that game. Remember, we streteched the lead in game 1 when Bruson was sitting and when he came back in, the Pacers began their run to get back into the game.

Either way, Thibs finally relented and exteded the bench...Shamet and Wright earned minutes moving forward and hopefully we continue to see them the rest of the way.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/Krisplashed/status/1926846238181257688

martin wrote:Looks like Thibs is on the split the bad defenders bandwagon already

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https://www.twitter.com/jcmacrinba/status/1927025582786641986

I feel like foul trouble has played a role in this but it’s good to see regardless. Every series is different and we need defensive guards out there to contain their speedy guard oriented attack.

Ew1ng5Fan wrote:

NYStateOfMind wrote:You can hide Hart on the bench, yet the big negative guys are all the usual starters. I was worried about 2 teams all year, OKC and Indy. They play a pace and style that we matchup terribly against.

fishmike wrote:Wright/Shamet are not great players, but they are NBA guys with some skills and can play a role. The other 7 are right there. McBride (love him) is the weakest link there so when we are getting good play from him we start getting REALLY tough.

I think moving forward Thibs needs to slow this down, make it a physical half court game and stick the 9 guys. Grind every possession and let our size wear them down while relying on Bruson/KAT as the best scorers on the floor for both teams.

We are continually able to break down their defense when we are patient. Sometimes it's moving the ball. Sometimes it's just KAT/Mikal/Brunson pounding the ball for 15 seconds until Indy panics and does something stupid.

I hate the phucking Pacers... PLS can we win tomorrow?

Wright and Shamet don't have to be great. Kornet, Houser, Shepherd, Obi and other opponent bench players aren't great either. But they play a role and help their teams. It's been a mistake all season to have a short bench. Hopefully, next game Shamet and Wright play even better. Be great to see Shamet have a 8-8 from 3pt type game.

fishmike wrote:Wright/Shamet are not great players, but they are NBA guys with some skills and can play a role. The other 7 are right there. McBride (love him) is the weakest link there so when we are getting good play from him we start getting REALLY tough.

I think moving forward Thibs needs to slow this down, make it a physical half court game and stick the 9 guys. Grind every possession and let our size wear them down while relying on Bruson/KAT as the best scorers on the floor for both teams.

We are continually able to break down their defense when we are patient. Sometimes it's moving the ball. Sometimes it's just KAT/Mikal/Brunson pounding the ball for 15 seconds until Indy panics and does something stupid.

I hate the phucking Pacers... PLS can we win tomorrow?

It's really energy and low mistake basketball we need from those guys (Shamet/Wright). Our other players have been so up/down with tons of sketch plays and blown assignments. Even with less talent just getting a few vets in to up the ball pressure, move the ball and bingo something positive happens.