NBA

Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle praises Edey, after his 23-point preseason outing

Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies posts up against Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter of a preseason game at Gainbridge...

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was complimentary of the rookie big man, who finished with 23 points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes as Memphis narrowly prevailed against his side – who rested their All-Star duo – during the preseason matchup. Judging by this, the new campaign can’t start soon enough…
Continue reading “Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle praises Edey, after his 23-point preseason outing”

NBA

Domantas Sabonis excited about DeMar DeRozan trade, and why wouldn’t he be?

DeMar DeRozan of the Sacramento Kings addresses the media on July 9, 2024 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User...

DeMar DeRozan constantly exceeding expectations among valuable but volatile situations from San Antonio to Chicago, has put him in a position where his long-term future was an oft-discussed wrinkle whenever trade season was in play and now he’s part of a handy trio in Sacramento alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Why wouldn’t the latter, or his teammates, be excited? Continue reading “Domantas Sabonis excited about DeMar DeRozan trade, and why wouldn’t he be?”

NBA

Olympics: Edwards-Haliburton duo rightly take pride, leading way for USAB in future

Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton of the Men's National Team look on during practice on July 13, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates at...

The future is promised to no-one, but both Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards and Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton are tipped for longevity at the international level as the only USA players from last summer’s World Cup squad called up to feature in Olympic play later this month as part of a stacked club under Steve Kerr. Naturally, this serves as more invaluable experience.
Continue reading “Olympics: Edwards-Haliburton duo rightly take pride, leading way for USAB in future”

NBA

Holiday hassles in the clutch on off-night, Boston take commanding 3-0 series lead

Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics steals the ball during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers...

Pictures often tell the full story and they do here, Boston again rallying from a big deficit – 18 points just as Dallas did earlier in the week – to stun Indiana on the Pacers’ home floor and take a historically unassailable series lead in their Eastern Conference finals matchup, punctuated by Jrue Holiday’s clutch defensive play late on. Unwell and struggling with his shot, that didn’t matter. Continue reading “Holiday hassles in the clutch on off-night, Boston take commanding 3-0 series lead”

NBA

East Finals: Tatum sinks immature Indiana to snatch hard-fought Game 1 in overtime

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics reacts during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD...

Jayson Tatum led the way with 36 points – including 10 in overtime alone – as the Boston Celtics clawed back from the brink of an early defeat. Indiana’s late-game mistakes painfully saw Boston snatch victory in the first of a possible seven-game series during their intriguing Eastern Conference Final matchup. Continue reading “East Finals: Tatum sinks immature Indiana to snatch hard-fought Game 1 in overtime”

NBA

Ten games into his Indiana stint, Siakam key in Hornets win and excited for more

Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers lays the ball up over Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets in the first half at Spectrum Center on February 04,...

Pascal Siakam produced a near triple-double – 25 points, nine assists and eight rebounds – as the Indiana Pacers won well away in Charlotte on his 10th appearance since last month’s trade move from Toronto. Naturally, the two-time All-Star forward spoke about his excitement to rack up more wins and stress-test the ball club’s full potential alongside a healthy Tyrese Haliburton. Continue reading “Ten games into his Indiana stint, Siakam key in Hornets win and excited for more”

NBA

Memes aside, Miami loss reinforces belief Tyrese Haliburton needs help in Indiana

Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers drives against Haywood Highsmith of the Miami Heat during the third quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on...

All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton has begun Year 4 like a man on a mission, averaging career-highs in points, FG%, 3P% and assists per game to lead the Indiana Pacers by example. He notched a new career-high 44 against Miami on Thursday night, yet Rick Carlisle’s men conceded 142 points – including 45 in the final quarter – to lose the first of a back-to-back slate. Tyrese clearly needs help. Continue reading “Memes aside, Miami loss reinforces belief Tyrese Haliburton needs help in Indiana”

NBA

Perhaps they don’t know yet – LaMelo Ball’s extension kicks off clock in Charlotte

LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets shoots a three pointer during the second half of their basketball game against the Detroit Pistons at Spectrum...

Empty stats on a struggling side, or genuine numbers to help build his standing as a young All-Star with leaps and bounds still to make? That’s the question Charlotte and critics are piling on LaMelo Ball, after the 21-year-old guard inked a five-year, $260m extension this offseason. What’s next, only he can decide. Continue reading “Perhaps they don’t know yet – LaMelo Ball’s extension kicks off clock in Charlotte”

NBA

Mavericks 122-124 Pacers: Missed crunch-time shots prove costly as Haliburton ascends

Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball against Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at American Airlines Center on...

Luka Doncic led all scorers with 39 points but in the battle of two All-Star birthday boys, Tyrese Haliburton had the last laugh. The 23-year-old reeled off an efficient 32-point display, complete with seven rebounds, six assists and a sneaky block on Kyrie Irving – who missed a go-ahead stepback three late, as the Mavs were resigned to an alarming fifth defeat in their last six games. Continue reading “Mavericks 122-124 Pacers: Missed crunch-time shots prove costly as Haliburton ascends”

NBA

NBA Q&A – Christmas special: A look at struggling teams, trade targets and stories to watch

Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls look on against the Boston Celtics during the second half at United Center on November 21, 2022 in...

More than a third of the way through the NBA regular season, title contenders and tanking teams have largely been identified. As for the cluster of teams flickering in the middle, the race to February’s All-Star break will decide where their future lies. I spoke to NBA expert Jack Brown for another Q&A, featuring Chicago’s issues, best Victor Wembanyama landing spots and more.
Continue reading “NBA Q&A – Christmas special: A look at struggling teams, trade targets and stories to watch”

NBA

Indiana Pacers’ big man Myles Turner changes agents, as trade speculation intensifies

Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers looks on in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 23, 2022 in...

Per Marc Stein, Indiana Pacers’ center Myles Turner is leaving BDA Sports after a two-year stint with the agency and mooted to join CAA Sports for representation. Players changing agents isn’t always noteworthy news, but in this case for the 26-year-old on an expiring deal who always finds himself in trade speculation, this change suggests bigger dominos will soon fall. Continue reading “Indiana Pacers’ big man Myles Turner changes agents, as trade speculation intensifies”

Archives

After his 23-point gamewinning display vs. Atlanta, is Victor Oladipo an x-factor in Miami?

Victor Oladipo of the Miami Heat celebrates after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 97-94 in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round to advance to...

After posting his second-highest scoring total since eventually joining Miami in a trade from Houston 13 months ago, is two-time All-Star shooting guard Victor Oladipo now ready to be their x-factor as the postseason deepens, with questions over Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler? Continue reading “After his 23-point gamewinning display vs. Atlanta, is Victor Oladipo an x-factor in Miami?”