The Pacers try to put the "Disaster in the Desert" behind them and find their winning stride again in Sacramento where they face the Kings on Friday night.
41 games down and 41 to go before the real season begins for the Pacers.
After compiling a gaudy 33-8 record to start the season, the Pacers begin the second half of their regular season schedule on Friday night in Sacramento. The Kings were one of the Pacers' victims at home last week when the Blue and Gold had everything working at both ends of the floor to slow down Sacramento with a 116-92 win.
Aside from a monstrous performance by DeMarcus Cousins, the Pacers had the Kings under their thumb all night. Tonight when the Pacers visit Sacramento, they likely won't see Cousins nor Rudy Gay. Both are listed as day-to-day after leaving the Kings' loss on Wednesday early with injuries. Cousins (ankle) and Gay (Achilles) received good news after their respective MRI's as far as the severity of the injuries, but reports out of Sacramento indicate both players won't be available against the Pacers.
That's 40-plus points of production the Kings will have to account for which should give the Pacers a good chance to find their defensive mojo on the road which was deserted in the desert against the Suns on Wednesday.
Check out the links:
Game Preview: Pacers at Kings | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Cousins, Gay are listed as day-to-day for Kings - Kings/NBA - The Sacramento Bee
DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay listed as Day-to-Day - Sactown Royalty
Pacers halfway home but issues remain - 1070 The Fan
Rudy Gay to be sidelined with Achilles injury - Yahoo Sports
Paul George Named Starter on NBA All-Star Team | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Paul George: A Step Ahead of The Rest | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Paul George named All-Star starter and to USA Basketball pool - Indy Star
Good morning, it's an NBA All-Star stunner - SBNation.com
Turnovers – Fatal Flaw or Invented Issue? | 8 Points, 9 Seconds
NBA midseason awards: Roy Hibbert is NBA's top defender - USA Today
What’s Wrong With the Heat? " Grantland
Rockets GM takes to Twitter to complain about All-Star voting process | ProBasketballTalk