Official Game Thread: Pacers at Hawks

[lethalweapon3]

“Whoever just Gorilla Glued my chair is headed to OKC for a trade exception!”

 

It’s that time of year again. When i’s become 1’s, o’s become 0’s, and n’s become m’s among the Internet’s fake-news breakers. Beware, Squawk Nation, beware!

Of course, we’re deep into Yabettawin territory. But there’s no telling which players might get that tap on their shoulders over the next 48 hours, and also who might be mysteriously DNP-Rested ahead of today’s game between the Atlanta Hawks and the remnants of the Indiana Pacers (7:30 PM Eastern, Bally Sports Southeast and 92.9 FM in ATL, BS Indiana).

As for the latest breaks the Hawks (25-28) won’t know how to exploit: Indy’s second-leading scorer, Caris LeVert, was dealt yesterday to Cleveland for draft picks, a trade exception and some Spanish rice. Its top assist man, Malcolm Brogdon has been out for weeks and remains questionable to appear due to his sore Achilles.

Indy’s top shot blocker, Myles Turner has been out for weeks, too, and that won’t change with the stress reaction in his foot. Domantas Sabonis had been shelved on You Know What protocols, and he was rushed back into action for Sunday’s 98-85 loss at Cleveland because You Know Why. Rookie big Isaiah Jackson’s out. Crash dummy T.J. McConnell’s out. And T.J. Maxx might see the floor before T.J. Warren.

If anyone would bother to have an updated scouting report on Lance Stephenson, it’s Atlanta. Born Ready made six cameo appearances as a Hawk before the Pacers discovered their former star’s scoring occasionally still tastes like candy.

Elder-rookie Chris Duarte was not brought into coach Rick Carlisle’s and Lloyd Pierce’s fold to be an offensive spark, but by making six of his last ten threes he’s about as good as it gets in the backcourt for now (We will jinx the Hawks’ perimeter defense by noting the Pacers, like the Mavs on Sunday, enter the game shooting 33.3% as a team on 3FGs). Duarte and Sabonis are the sole starters returning from when Trae Young’s 33 points helped the Hawks edged the Pacers at the Fieldhouse back on December 1.

As we’ve mentioned previously, Indiana (19-36, 7.0 games behind ATL) has long been one of the NBA’s committed Never-Tank teams. Today, and on a pair of occasions next month, it’s on Atlanta to encourage the Pacers to break their own mold.

The soundness with which the Hawks get and stay ahead of the Pacers tonight will be a reflection of the preparedness of the players by the coaching staff. Carlisle having to rely so much on ringers like Kiefer Sykes, Torrey Craig, Duane Washington, Jr., rookie Goga Bitadze and ten-day contractor Reggie Perry is almost too much of a good thing against Nate McMillan’s current team.

 

The Indy 500 is still months away. Yet I do feel The Need.

 

The Need for… Trade Deadline Karaoke! Hit it, Trader Trav!

 

 

Revvin’ up Trade Machines,

Listen to the Squawkers roar.

Front office feels the tension,

To show TLC the door.

 

I went to The Trading Zone,

Right into The Trading Zone.

 

Headin’ for the Deadline,

Danglin’ all our wing delights.

Sixers only dumping dreck

Morey’s friggin’ lost his mind.

 

I went to The Trading Zone,

I’ll take you

Right into The Trading Zone.

 

They never said “Hello” to me,

Until my team went out and put on a playoff show.

I’ll never know what we can do

If all my best trade chips continue to blow.

 

Out along the edge

Is always where we give up threes.

The further down we slide,

The less we need Gallinari.

 

I went to The Trading Zone

I’m gonna take ‘em

Right into The Trading Zone

Riley, too. The Trading Zone.

Right into The Trading Zone.

 

I went to The Trading Zone

I’m gonna take ‘em

Right into The Trading Zone

Presti, too. The Trading Zone.

Right into The Trading Zone.

 

I went to The Trading Zone

I’m gonna take ‘em

Right into The Trading Zone

Myers, too. The Trading Zone.

Right into The Trading Zone.

 

I went to The Trading Zone

Right into The Trading Zone.

Who wants Lou? The Trading Zone.

Right into The Trading Zone…

 

 

Let’s Go Hawks!

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

^"Tell me you're too busy jamming to Kenny Loggins without telling me you're too busy jamming to Kenny Loggins."

The Yabettawin factor has been upped indubitably!

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33244860/indiana-pacers-sacramento-kings-work-six-player-trade-includes-domantas-sabonis-tyrese-haliburton-sources-say

 

~lw3

[shakes]

This is as must win as must win gets.  Lose this game and I say trade everyone on the team except Trae, Dre and OO.

 

For the week we must go 3-0 after last week's disastrous 1-3.   That means we have to win on the road in Boston.  No use sugar coating it, it has to be done.  If they can't beat teams above them in the standings on the road then what's the point?  

 

 

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, lethalweapon3 said:

The Yabettawin factor has been upped indubitably!

 

 

~lw3

 

[lethalweapon3]

JC is Probable still despite continued heel discomfort. Gallo, as you're well aware, is unlikely to play, while Lou remains Doubtful with his tense hammy.

 

The back of my napkin has the following Active Pacer players:

Keifer Sykes, Malcolm Brogdon?

Chris Duarte, Duane Washington

Torrey Craig, Lance Will Make You Dance, Terry Taylor?

Oshae Brissett, Isaiah Jackson (maybe, see below)

Goga Bitadze, Reggie Perry

 

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

Holiday! Inoculate!

~m@d0nn@

[AHF]

6 minutes ago, lethalweapon3 said:

Holiday! Inoculate!

~m@d0nn@

We'd still have kids frequently crippled or dying of polio, smallpox, etc. if our parents and grandparents took this attitude.

[lethalweapon3]

2 hours ago, lethalweapon3 said:

Holiday! Inoculate!

~m@d0nn@

ERRATA: Boo, Scott! You're no fun!

~lw3

[Spud2nique]

2 hours ago, lethalweapon3 said:

some Spanish rice.

 

2 hours ago, lethalweapon3 said:

Its top assist man, Malcolm Brogdon has been out for weeks and remains questionable to appear due to his sore Achilles.

Talk trade to me lw3, I’ll pick up  

2 hours ago, lethalweapon3 said:

Domantas Sabonis

Waiiiit foooor iiittt..(pre trade write up)

 

2 hours ago, lethalweapon3 said:

went to The Trading Zone

Right into The Trading Zone.

Who wants Lou? The Trading Zone.

Right into The Trading Zone

What in hoooolyyyy…  I sang along and even yelled REEEEEEEEEEEMIIIIIIIXXXX.. 
 

In 2k we got them by 37,

Vegas has us by -12.5, started out at -10.5

Go Hawks!!!

[Spud2nique]

22 minutes ago, lethalweapon3 said:

ERRATA: Boo, Scott! You're no fun!

~lw3

Just got back from ballin and saw a couple youngsters and we spoke of the news 🗞. All parties agree that both Sabonis and Hali were the prizes for each side and it’s a shame one side (the Kings obviously with @Gray Mule driving the bus ) couldn’t get both Sabonis and keep Hali.

Then I left well.. because I’m old  and those two were prolly gonna go one on one. Good times. Talkin hoops with real life people felt different, I felt like I couldn’t be my weird a$$ squawk self! I digress..

GO HAWKS!!!

Lets blow them out early so the bench can get reps.

[GameTime]

The Return of Lance

 

[Spud2nique]

Meanwhile AHF picks up the other Holiday brother. #brotherlylove #fantasythang #sneakysneaky 

[Spud2nique]

Undermanned big time. We need to win this and get this thing over with by the end of the 3rd quarter, no messing around.

Scott Agness: Brogdon and Jackson remain out. Pacers have eight players available tonight in Atlanta.

 

– via TwitterScottAgness

 

[lethalweapon3]

If any of these guys get into foul trouble it could spell trouble for the Hawks

~lw3

[terrell]

4 hours ago, shakes said:

This is as must win as must win gets. Lose this game and i say trade everyone on the team except Trae, Dre and OO.

 

For the week we must go 3-0 after last week's disastrous 1-3.   That means we have to win on the road in Boston.  No use sugar coating it, it has to be done.  If they can't beat teams above them in the standings on the road then what's the point?  

 

 

Lose this game and I say trade everyone on the team  ̶e̶x̶c̶e̶p̶t̶ ̶T̶r̶a̶e̶,̶ ̶D̶r̶e̶,̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶O̶O̶..

Edited February 9, 2022 by terrell

[Sothron]

Do I need to say this is a must win? I mean c'mon!

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

 

[sturt]

Remembering last season when Rondo inexplicably sat for the game before the deadline... except, of course, it wasn't so inexplicable after all.

 

Will be watching for weird substitution patterns tonight.

 

Hopefully none, but dang I'm so nervous.

[terrell]

13 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

 

 

 

Any bets on who will be the unknown guard to go off on us tonight?

[Guest]

This could be the last game for some Hawks, but I don't think we'll make a significant trade.  Just a feeling.