More important than ever: the Pacers’ bloody hopes are a powerful Sabonis game

Back in January 2019, the defender, who had suffered a particularly serious injury, returned to the field only in the second half of this season and scored an average of 13.9 points in 13 games played. The basketball player, who spent less than 26 minutes on the field on average, attacked with just 39 percent of the game, which became the lowest in Oladipo’s career.

After a long hesitation, the Pacers leader, who has not yet reached optimal sports form, decided not to risk his health and not help the team at the tournament in Orlando. Her move was fueled by fears of a possible recurrence of trauma after a four-month break in the season.

A basketball player who goes to Florida with the team, but watches events on the field from outside the country, is not the only loss for the Indiana club. The Pacers will have to work in Orlando in addition to Jeremy Lambo, who joined the team last summer and included Oladip’s starting offensive defender.

Furthermore, as the season progressed, it became clear that the COVID-19 virus had “stuck” to the team’s lead player, Malcolm Brogdon. Although the basketball player will be able to complete the two-week treatment period before the start of the NBA Bubble, fans of the club are concerned about the possible health effects of the virus.

Although all of the listed players spent a significant part of the season due to injury, the Pacers, led by Sabonis, who was able to improve on the All-Star caliber basketball player, managed to demonstrate a solid game and took fifth place in the Eastern Conference. at the end of the season.

Such an achievement has resulted in the Indianapolis club already securing a place in the playoffs, where the team will play for the fifth consecutive year. As the season continues, the teams will play eight more games, after which their final positions in the tournament table will be revealed.

Even after losing all eight games, the Pacers would not fall below sixth place: the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic, which are in seventh and eighth place, currently have nine fewer wins.

Still, when it comes to possible scenarios for the rest of the season, it’s hard to wait for Indianapolis basketball players to move up the tournament table. While the Pacers have the mathematical ability to beat the Miami Heat, which is one step ahead and have two more wins, or the Boston Celtics, who are third with a four-win lead, the thin line of the defenders of the The team casts serious doubt on the probability of such a scenario.

The desperate situation fueled Indiana’s interest in Lance Stephenson, who had represented the team in the past and had earned fan-favorite status. However, the defender, who spent five years in Indianapolis on and off, will also be unable to help the team: at the end of the season he still had a valid contract with the Chinese CBA League Flying Leopards, and the new rules prevent him from Basketball players return to the NBA this season. .

The huge gaps in the team suggest that Saboni’s role in the team’s attack should increase further in the Orlando tournament. This year, the Lithuanian who played the best career season accumulated an average of 18.5 points, 12.4 rebounds and 5 assists per game.

Since the Pacers don’t aim to collect losses consciously, the highest can expect a lot of playing time and a lot of passes from his teammates. But while Domanto’s individual statistics may seem impressive, the results of the Indiana club in Orlando can be disappointing.

Nate McMillan graduates in Florida will meet with the Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat (twice). After these duels, the Pacers will enter the first round of the playoffs.

While the Indiana team has extended a five-year playoff series, the Pacers are more likely to complete their march for the fifth consecutive year without crossing the first-stage barrier.

Sabonis doesn’t know about any more NBA fights yet: A Lithuanian who plays in the league for the fourth season also loads his luggage at home every year after the first leg of the series. Before coming to the Pacers, the Dome finished its first season at the Oklahoma Thunder Club identically.

Indianapolis basketball fans are not optimistic before the tournament in Orlando. It will probably inevitably be rumored that the team will talk about the incompatibility of the Sabonis and Myles Turner duo and possible changes in the club’s composition, once again when the roof that stops their marches is suspended again in Indiana.

Returning to the most capable basketball league in the world, however, Domas has a great chance to make his fans happy with impressive stats, and his guaranteed play would allow him to expect club leaders to pronounce his Lithuanian last name by choosing his future midfielder.