@tonyreast.bsky.social
Indiana Pacers + NBA and Indiana Fever + WNBA beat guy. Now: Forbes, Circle City Spin, and The IX. Locked On Pacers for my voice. PBWA. Past: SB Nation, On SI, B/R, more.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialWill be keeping an eye on the situation(s) like what happens after Nembhard rejects screen here. Two ATL defenders not involved in the PnR, albeit two who can recover quikcly, basically in the paint. Nesmith and Oubre open but two passes away. An advantage to poke at.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialZubac screens until something is open:
@tonyreast.bsky.socialMuch appreciated. Looking forward to Fever offseason mixed in with NBA times.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialThis, by the way, was my last Fever story of the season. Offseason stuff coming. Sometimes these "thanks for reading" posts feel self serving. This is not intended to be - hearing from readers/fans is an important part of the job. So, thank you for reading/interacting all year.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialAnd from yesterday, my story from the week of Fever exit interviews @theixsports.bsky.social: www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...
@tonyreast.bsky.socialUpdated with quotes from last night, things learned from Pacers-Hawks:
-Balanced attack without Haliburton
-Obi Toppin, dunking often but dunking "sad"
-Larry Nance with a "good" debut
-Individual defensive miscues
-Zubac vs smaller players
@tonyreast.bsky.socialA shorter weekend podcast looking at the Pacers without Haliburton (again). Starters still played mostly well. Larry Nance debuted and... was fine. Lots of little notes.
Listen: locked-on-pacers-daily-podcast-on-the-indiana-pacers.simplecast.com
Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtmN...
@tonyreast.bsky.socialFive things learned from Pacers-Hawks: www.circlecityspin.com/five-things-...
@tonyreast.bsky.socialJalen Slawson too late after Braden Smith can’t get off a two. Pacers fall 119-117 to the Hawks:
@tonyreast.bsky.socialJalen Slawson just keeps getting better.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialJames Johnson checks in. Fans cheer. Jay Huff claps for him.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialPutback dunk for Jalen Slawson there called an offensive goaltend, but it clearly wasn't. Nice play taken off the board.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialFourth foul on Quenton Jackon so in comes Braden Smith. Big cheers this time, no boos.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialPacers getting some wires crossed defensively in this third quarter. Also still don't have an offensive rebound after about 30 minutes of action.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialPacers go full court with 2 seconds to go. Nembhard bombs it to Siakam, who tips it right to Nesmith for a 3. Well executed. Pacers down 62-60 at halftime. Siakam leads with 11 points and is playing hard as hell.
@tonyreast.bsky.social27 seconds later. Fourth dunk for Obi Toppin in this half.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialThird dunk for Obi Toppin in this half.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialKelly Oubre airballed a three from the right wing a few possessions ago. Looked like he messed up his base - his feet were really far apart. He gets another chance from the same spot, looks down at his foot placement before shooting, then drills it. Pacers back ahead.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialPacers up 32-31 after one quarter. Pacers went 10/15 but had 6 turnovers. 9 Pacers players attempted a shot and all are shooting 50% or better. Pacers a bit too foul happy and letting in rim pressure.
@tonyreast.bsky.socialSome athletic pop to grab a rebound, then flashes across the lane for his first bucket.
