After a thrilling game-winning tip in by Troy Murphy that gave the Pacers an 118-117 win over the Lakers, Indiana had to travel to Boston the following night for a rematch with the defending NBA champion Celtics. Did they have enough in the tank to defeat Boston again? In a word, no.
It was evident, apart from perhaps Granger and Ford, that the Pacers were tired and Boston was hungry for revenge in front of a home crowd. The Celtics picked them apart winning 114-96. There was a glimmer of brilliance as Indiana found themselves down 24 and cut that lead to 8. However, Boston being rested and just flat out savvier down the stretch put the Pacers 7-11 in the standings.
Now tonight the Pacers go up against the Cavaliers, who beat them by 4 in their first match-up. They'll be in Cleveland and you have to wonder what they have in terms of energy. O'Brien needs to start playing his bench more to save his starters, but it is hard when it seems every game the Pacers are in is a tight one.
I think once their schedule eases up on their back-to-back games against playoff contenders (they lead the league in back-to-backs), and Dunleavy returns to the lineup, they'll be a threat and a legitimate playoff contender.
