Pacers at Clippers: Game Thread

A must win game for both teams.

By Kevin Nesgoda@KevinNesgoda Apr 1, 2013, 7:15pm PDT

Matchup Preview | April 1, 2013

@

Indiana Pacers
(47-27, 18-19 Away)

Los Angeles Clippers
(49-25, 28-8 Home)

Stats Comparison
94.9	Points Per Game	100.6
8.7	PPG Allowed	94.5
43.5	Field Goal %	47.6
75	Free Throw %	70.8
35.5	3-Point %	35.6
46.4	Rebounds	41.4
6.55	Blocks	5.72
7.12	Steals	9.72
14.5	Turnovers	14

Projected Starters
George Hill	Point Guard	Chris Paul
Lance Stephenson	Shooting Guard	Willie Green
Paul George	Small Forward	Caron Butler
David West	Power Forward	Blake Griffin
Roy Hibbert	Center	DeAndre Jordan

Injury Report
Danny Granger Out		Chauncy Billups Out

Game Notes
For most of the season the Clippers seemed to have a strangle hold on the third playoff spot out west. They are coming off back to back losses and are one more loss away from losing home court in the first round. Vinny Del Negro has been extremely frustrated of late with his team's effort, going so far as to call his team on out publicly through the media. How will the Clippers respond? Can they beat the Pacers tonight to win 50 games in a season for the first time in history? You then have to look at the Pacers and see they are a bit hot, closing in on the second seed in the East. They are winners of seven of their last eight and have been playing much better basketball since Danny Granger went down with a season ending injury. Roy Hibbert has been extremely hot the last five games averaging nearly 20-12 over that stretch. This is a must win for both teams. Clippers can't afford to drop further in the standings. The Pacers are currently tied with the Knicks for the second seed and need this win to get them home court in the second round. I'll take the Pacers in an ugly game, 93-84.