chemistry on the court has been apparent and the Pacers are not the same team because of it. With the talk about different altercations in the locker room and the non-existent performance by Roy Hibbert, the Pacers are likely to lose to a less talented Atlanta Hawks team. Although the Pacers seem to have done this to themselves, the Hawks do deserve credit because they have been able to take advantage of the mismatches that they create. If the Pacers end up losing in the first round of the playoffs, Frank Vogel will be fighting to keep his head coaching job and there will likely be some major trades. Saturday night is a must win for the Pacers, but lets see if their stars show up to play or decide to burn out as all stars do.
The Pacers are not the only team that are struggling to make it out of the first round. The San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, have difficult first round match-ups in the West. The San Antonio Spurs, who were considered the best team in the league going into the playoffs, dropped a game to the Dallas Maverick, a team they had not lost to in years. This rivalry match-up has the Mavericks players fired up and they are not going down without a fight. I believe that the series will go to 6 games, but in the end the Spurs are too talented and well coached and will end up winning the series. Although I am confident that the Spurs will win their first round match-up, I cannot say the same about the Thunder. The Thunder are stuck with a very difficult match-up against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are a good team and have been able to steal two out of the first three games from the Thunder. Both wins have come in overtime, but it should still give OKC a reason to worry. Since Russell Westbrook returned after injury, Kevin Durant has not played the same. KD is still getting his MVP type numbers, but has been unable (or perhaps unwilling) to take over games late down the stretch. With Russel Westbrook taking so many shots it is hard to see OKC making it through the playoffs. Kevin Durant has to demand the ball late down the stretch and do what he does best. I still expect OKC to win the series in 7, but it will not be an easy task. Tony Allen and the rest of the Grizzlies team are determined to get the upset and are playing their guts out. http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/sports/nba/playoffs/2014/04/19/2014-nba-playoffs-indiana-pacers-vs-atlanta-hawks/7921901/
http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/sports/nba/playoffs/2014/04/19/2014-nba-playoffs-indiana-pacers-vs-atlanta-hawks/7921901/
