New Orleans Pelicans vs. Indiana Pacers: Preview
The number twelve-ranked New Orleans Pelicans are hoping to make improvements on their current record as they take on the seventh-seeded Indiana Pacers.
Part two of the Pelicans-Pacers regular season series will be taking place on Thursday, March 24th, at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The first time both teams played against each other was last January 8th, with the Pacers emerging victorious. Despite being down 30-16 in the first quarter, Indiana slowly picked up the pace and achieved the lead through the remaining quarters in the game.
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And despite turning the ball over a total of 24 times, as opposed to New Orleans' 14, Indiana made up for it through rebounds, with a total of 54, as opposed to their opponents' total of 37. Big man Ian Mahinmi was able to put up significant albeit modest numbers, scoring 17 points, as well as ten rebounds, shooting 7 out of 12 from the field, through 24 minutes of playing time.
Guard/forward CJ Miles also made substantial contributions coming off the bench, as he added in 15 points and seven rebounds, shooting 6 out of 12 from the field, through 35 minutes of playing time.
In 2015, the Pacers missed the boat on being a part of the playoffs by one game. Currently holding a 37-33 record, head coach Frank Vogel says it is the one thing that he has been stressing to his team.
"We all understand how important every single game is," Vogel said. For forward Paul George, despite the fact that his team is currently on the top eight in the standings for a possible playoff berth, it is not, by any means, a guarantee.
"Right now we don't have the feeling of our spot is guaranteed, and it's good. We should have a little pressure. Hopefully that makes us perform better," he said.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, hold a record of 26-44.
