Tag: Indiana Pacers

Why trading Danilo Gallinari for Myles Turner makes sense for OKC

The Oklahoma City Thunder could benefit by trading Danilo Gallinari to the Indiana Pacers in return for Myles Turner.

It’s time to put up or shut up for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Sunday, December 15 marks the start of when any player that signed a free-agent deal over the summer can finally be traded.

Since the Thunder have several players that fall into that category, it’s time for Sam Presti and company to decide if Oklahoma City is going to stay at the cusp of a postseason spot and hope they can play their way into the playoffs, or if OKC is going to go full rebuild, knowing that there’s a stable full of draft picks that can likely help in the future.

Oklahoma City has already let it be known that they are looking to trade Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari, and Steven Adams, as reports are out there that the Thunder “made them available”.

While the consensus around the league remains that Chris Paul’s contract may prevent him from being traded, Gallinari remains an intriguing option for many teams.

One team that Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey believes would benefit by trading for Gallinari is the Indiana Pacers.

Calling him “one of this season’s most intriguing trade candidates”, Bailey suggests that the Pacers should send Myles Turner to Oklahoma City for Gallinari as Indiana “might have a higher ceiling with (Domantas) Sabonis playing alongside a playmaking 4”.

Danilo Gallinari is averaging 18.3 points with a 62.4 true shooting percentage in only 30.4 minutes per game. There are only 11 players in NBA history who have at least 500 three-point attempts and match his career marks for points per 75 possessions (19.2) and true shooting percentage (59.0). He’s in the top 100 all-time in career offensive box plus/minus.

Although Turner has gotten off to a less than ideal start, Bailey argues that Turner’s age and contract are what makes him an intriguing prospect for the Thunder.

The Pacers center is off to a slow start this season, posting a career low in win shares per 48 minutes, but he’s only 23 years old. He’s also on a reasonable contract ($18 million per year) through 2023. There could be much worse starts to a reboot than a core of Turner and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

On its face, the deal makes sense for the Thunder. Gallinari is in the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Thunder could trade him now, and get a young player that fits their long-term timeline or wait and risk losing him after the season and getting nothing in return.

All-Decade Power Rankings: Golden State Warriors rule the 2010s

The Golden State Warriors were easily the most dominant NBA team in the 2010s decade. What teams followed them? Our full rankings included.

The end of the decade is upon us, which a good time to look at the teams that thrived and those that took a nosedive over the 2010s.

For clarity, the period examined begins with the 2010-11 NBA season and ends Dec. 12, 2019, rather than bridging games that were played in the second half of 2009-10. Remember, the 2011-12 season was limited to 66 games due to a players’ strike.

30. Sacramento Kings

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings have been consistent … as in consistently under .500. The last time the franchise had a winning season was 2005-06. It will be interesting to see if they can get over the .500 mark this go-round. The Kings are currently flirting with .500 but still under.

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Celtics can’t hold off Pacers, fall 122-117 after late Indiana surge

Despite 44 points from All-NBA floor general Kemba Walker, the Boston Celtics fall to the Indiana Pacers 122-117.

The Indiana Pacers seemingly couldn’t miss in the fourth quarter, downing the Boston Celtics 122-117 despite 44 points and 7 assists from All-NBA guard Kemba Walker.

With Indiana guard Aaron Holiday scoring 11 of his 18 total on the night in the fourth quarter, the Celtics dropped just their second game in eight to one of the East’s ascendent teams, with the Pacers having won seven of their last ten games as well.

Struggling to close out a feisty opponent in the absence of Marcus Smart, who sat a second consecutive game with an eye infection, Boston now falls to third in the East behind the 18-6 Miami Heat.

Forward Gordon Hayward was hit hard in the face in the fourth, and exited the game to go through the NBA’s concussion protocol; at present the recently-returned swingman appears to escaped yet another injury.

Third-year swingman Jayson Tatum shot 4-of-13 from the floor on the night, which didn’t help the Celtics in a game that came down to the wire.

The game was close throughout most of the contest, with the Pacers needing an outstanding fourth quarter to steal the win.

The late defensive effort put the clamps on an uninspired Boston offense, forcing four straight turnovers while Aaron’s older brother, guard Justin Holiday, combined to score three consecutive buckets early in the final frame, securing Indiana the win.

Justin joined his brother in double-digit scoring for the Pacers with 17 and 6 boards on the night, big man Domantas Sabonis added 15 points, 14 boards and 8 assists.

Swingman TJ Warren added 14 points, and 2017 Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon led all Indiana players with 29 points and 8 assists on his birthday.

Jaylen Brown continued his strong play, logging 18 points and 8 rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth quarter in Wednesday night’s loss.

A feat that was also accomplished by center Daniel Theis, who had 11 points and 6 boards to go with as many fouls.

Despite his off-shooting night, Tatum put up a healthy 16 points and 6 rebounds against Indiana, and Pitt product Brad Wanamaker had 12 points and 6 boards off the bench for the Celtics.

Boston next faces the Philadelphia 76ers at home tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 12 in what could be something of a revenge match for the 107-93 drubbing the Celtics received at the hand of Philly on opening night.

With Smart a strong possibility to return to action and a favorable crowd behind them, the team could make a quick exit from the loss column with a win over a resurgent 76ers, who have won their last three games.

‘Masked Singer’ contestant, who is probably Victor Oladipo, delivers beautiful performance

Another stellar performance for the masked singer.

The Thingamajig still hasn’t been unmasked on The Masked Singer, but once again, all signs point to the crooner with the beautiful voice being Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, even Oladipo keeps denying it.

The clues thus far have included references to his No. 4, the fact that he used to play with the Orlando Magic and “running with the Bulls.” On Tuesday, judge Nicole Scherzinger picked up Thingamajig talking about “no time to get crabby” about his performances, a clear reference to Maryland.

Guess who was born in Silver Spring, Maryland? Yep.

Here’s the segment with more clues and Thingamajig performing John Legend’s Ordinary People.

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Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Boston Celtics (17-5) and Indiana Pacers (15-9) will tussle at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Celtics-Pacers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Celtics at Pacers: Key injuries

Celtics: SG Romeo Langford (ankle) and C Robert Williams (hip) are each listed as out, while PG Marcus Smart (eye) is a question mark due to an eye issue.

Pacers: PF JaKarr Sampson (back) is questionable, while SG Victor Oladipo (knee) is about seven to 10 days away from a potential return.

Celtics at Pacers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 8 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Celtics 115, Pacers 102

Moneyline (ML)

The CELTICS (+100) are a great play on the moneyline if you don’t want to worry about any points. They’re a pick ’em on the ML, making them quite attractive for a moderate bet.

New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered on a Celtics win would profit $10 with an outright victory.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The CELTICS (+2.5, –125) will cost a little bit of juice if you want some insurance in the form of a bucket and change. Know this: The Celtics are 6-2 ATS in their past eight trips to Indianapolis, and 4-0-1 ATS in the past five meetings in this series. So, they’re quite the attractive play over the favored Pacers (-2.5, +105).

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 211.5 (+105) is worth a small-unit play, as these games tend to be about offense. The Over is 5-2 in the past seven meetings between these two. Yes, the Under is the dominant trend for both teams lately, but a decent bet on the Celtics coupled with an Over play is the way to go. I like the C’s straight up more than the Over, however.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Los Angeles Clippers at Indiana Pacers odds, lines, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Los Angeles Clippers at Indiana Pacers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Los Angeles Clippers (17-7) visit the Indiana Pacers (15-8) Monday at 7 p.m. ET at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. We analyze the Clippers-Pacers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Clippers at Pacers: Key injuries

Clippers

  • SF Kawhi Leonard (rest) doubtful
  • PF Patrick Patterson (back) questionable
  • SF Rodney McGruder (hamstring) questionable
  • SG Landry Shamet (ankle) questionable

Pacers

  • PG Malcolm Brogdon (hand) questionable
  • SG Victor Oladipo (knee) out
  • SF JaKarr Sampson (back) questionable

Clippers at Pacers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Pacers 107, Clippers 102

Moneyline (ML)

The Clippers are coming off a 135-119 road win over the Washington Wizards Friday, while the Pacers last played Saturday in a 104-103 road victory over the New York Knicks. The Pacers now return home from a five-game road swing. They have a 9-2 record as hosts and the Clippers are just 4-6 away from home.

Take the PACERS (-110) as they have the rest and home advantages, and Leonard is expected to sit out for the Clips. Both teams were 8-2 over their last 10 games. The Pacers have the edge on defense with an average of 104.5 points per game allowed while the Clippers allow 108.7 PPG. Los Angeles scores 115.3 PPG to 109.2 PPG for Indiana.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Pacers to win outright as home underdogs returns a profit of $9.09.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Stick with the moneyline and the outright victory for Indiana rather than taking a smaller payout with the -120 odds for the Pacers to cover the spread of +1.5 and stay within one point in a loss or win outright.

The Clippers are 13-11 against the spread overall and 3-7 ATS on the road. The Pacers are 12-10 ATS overall and 6-4 at home.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Clippers rank seventh in the NBA with a pace of 103.57 possessions per game but they’re on the second half of a back-to-back and Leonard is expected to take the night off.

The Pacers rank just 23rd by pace at 99.40 possessions per game and will happily play in a slower, lower-scoring contest. Take the UNDER 218.5 (-125).

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Esten’s NBA betting record: 70-59

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks odds, lines, picks and best bets

Analyzing Saturday’s Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks matchup, with NBA betting odds, lines, picks and best bets

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The New York Knicks (4-18) host the Indiana Pacers (14-8) Saturday with tip-off coming just after 7:00 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden. We analyze the Pacers-Knicks odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Pacers at Knicks: Key injuries

Pacers

  • SG Victor Oladipo (knee, quad tendon) out indefinitely
  • SF JaKarr Sampson (back) missed Friday’s game, questionable at best Saturday

Knicks

  • SG Reggie Bullock (neck, illness) out

Pacers at Knicks: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Pacers 106, Knicks 98

Moneyline (ML)

The Pacers have won seven of their last 10 games and are 5-6 on the road this season. The Knicks are 3-9 at home. Back INDIANA (-250) as a solid road favorite even with New York firing its coach David Fizdale yesterday.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Indiana to win outright would profit $4.00.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Pacers are ninth against the spread on the road with a mark of 6-5 and come in three points per game above the cover line. New York is 5-7 ATS at home and comes in 5.6 points per game below the cover line (23rd).

Slightly lean toward INDIANA (-6.5, -110) to win by seven or more points Saturday. It delivers a $9.09 profit on a $10 bet.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total is set at 207.5 (Over: -110, Under: -110). Indiana averages 109.5 points per game and New York allows 111.3 per contest. The Pacers rank 23rd at 98.9 possessions per game and the Knicks are 27th at 98.1. With a new Knicks coach, there is too much uncertainty here. PASS on the O/U.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Three takeaways from Oklahoma City’s 107-100 loss to Pacers

Steven Adams had another strong start, OKC dropped another close game, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to struggle from the field.

Oklahoma City fell at home on Wednesday night to the Indianapolis Pacers by a score of 107-100.

Three takeaways from the loss:

Steven Adams got off to another strong start 

Much like he did in the two previous games against the New Orleans Pelicans, Adams got off to a hot start.

He scored the Thunder’s first four points and eight for their first 11.

Twelve of his team-high 20 points came in the first quarter, and he finished the night a perfect 8-8 from the field and 4-4 from the free-throw line.

It’s the second time in his career that he’s been perfect from the floor with eight or more field goals.

Another close game, but another close loss

Oklahoma City looked to have turned the corner at the end of last week and through the weekend when they were finally able to pull out two close wins over the Pelicans by a combined eight points.

The Thunder led Indianapolis 50-49 at the half and were within a point of the Pacers five different times throughout the fourth quarter without being able to tie the game or pull ahead.

Eight of the Thunder’s 12 losses this year have come by seven points or less.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to struggle 

Although Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 points in the loss to the Pacers, he shot only 7-of-19 from the floor.

That comes on the heels of poor shooting performances against the Pelicans where he shot a combined 9-of-30 in two wins over New Orleans.

SGA’s hot start has cooled off considerably, though it is certainly too soon to call it a sophomore slump.

Billy Donovan defends decision not to call timeout in final minute of loss to Pacers

With the Thunder trailing 103-100, Terrance Ferguson missed three from the corner with 17 seconds to play that would’ve tied the game.

In every game, there are moments that coaches and players can go back and second-guess.

And there was a big one in the Thunder’s 107-100 loss to the Pacers on Wednesday night.

With Oklahoma City trailing 103-100 and under a minute to play, off a Malcolm Brogdan miss, Danilo Gallinari pulled down a rebound, giving the Thunder a possession to cut into the lead, if not tie the game.

Instead of calling a timeout, Billy Donovan let play continue, which resulted in Terrance Ferguson missing an open three from the corner with 17 seconds left on the clock.

It was rebounded by T.J. Warren, Chris Paul had to foul, and Warren subsequently hit both free throws to seal the victory.

After the game, Donovan explained his decision not to call a timeout in that situation.

“Broken floor situation. Had numbers. I thought about calling one when we didn’t get one early, but I thought we could get something early. I give the guys credit, they manufactured a good one. Thought about it, but I said ‘if I call timeout, I’m just letting them set their defense’. They were kind of scrambling at the time. But the way the ball came out, their whole team was behind the ball at that time and Chris kind of had ahead of steam and wanted to give him an opportunity to make a play. I thought we could get off something good. We did, probably took some time off the clock, but we got a good three out of it by Ferg.”

Donovan reiterated that calling a timeout would’ve allowed Indiana to set their defense, and then there was no telling what type of shot the Thunder would’ve been able to get.

Paul told reporters after the game that he was on board with Donovan’s decision as well.

“I don’t think you could draw something up where you could get a better look than we got,” said Paul. “I told Ferg, I want him to shoot that shot every night. That’s what he does for us.”

The Thunder finish the regular season 0-2 against Indianapolis.

Oklahoma City returns to action Friday against the Timberwolves.

Donovan: ‘We couldn’t get a clean stop’ in loss to Indianapolis

Oklahoma City got within a point of the Pacers five times during the fourth quarter but couldn’t come up with a defensive stop in the loss.

Typically this season, it’s been the third quarter that has let the Thunder down.

Friday night, it was the fourth.

Oklahoma City was outscored by the Pacers 28-22 in the final quarter as Indianapolis edged OKC 107-100.

Once again, Billy Donovan thought his guys competed. But he told the media after the game that breakdowns in offensive rebounding were what hurt the Thunder the most.

“I thought late we got hurt on offensive rebounds where we came over and helped. To me, it was those putbacks, fouls … we could never really get a clean stop coming down the stretch. And then some of those putbacks put us behind the eight ball.”

Oklahoma City lost the battle on the boards, 39-37, with the Pacers grabbing 11 offensive rebounds to the Thunder’s eight.

Steven Adams was responsible for five of the team’s offensive rebounds, a bright spot on the glass for OKC on Wednesday night.

“I think he’s kind of getting back to where he normally was,” Donovan said. “I think now he’s playing closer to the guy that everyone is accustomed to seeing.”

Adams also led the Thunder in scoring with 20 points.

Oklahoma City returns to action Friday night against the Timberwolves. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. CT as OKC caps off a two-game homestand.