GAME #33: Toronto Raptors 79 - Indiana Pacer 86

[iblastoff]

if we win this, we go 17-16 and officially move into 3rd in the east.

atlanta will probably lose a bunch of games in the next week (at best they'll probably win 2 of 5)
jan 8: pacers (im sure a back to back pacers can handle them)
jan 10: houston
jan 12: memphis (could go either way)
jan 16: the 'red hot' nets right now! lol. just beat atlanta yesterday.
jan 20: miami

[caccia]

Luol Deng was just traded to the Cavaliers for Andrew Bynum and draft picks. I am not sure how this changes the balance in the East, whether it makes Chicago (or Cleveland) more competitive.

http://www.morningjournal.com/sports...eng-from-bulls

[lilmamba_]

man, .500 has its own amazing feeling
lool I'm home from school today yall are gonna be seeing alot of me today
After this Indy game we have no excuse not to win in the month of January
NBA.com's still showing some love (they still got us up on the homepage for power rankings)
I'm feeling a win but even if we lose its 'ight because it's Indiana loool no one expects us to win these games

I hope DeMar goes DeKobe on the pacers

[rocwell]

Wow, 9 degrees F? That's -12C... And they could be cancelling stuff because of this? Up here it has to be -25 to have such actions even to be cosidered.

Chicago temp. was -16 F on Monday..

You live in the country which is used to cold weather, Lithuania are better prepared better than say Indianapolis, they don't get freezing storms too often.

By the way, I'm pretty sure that every event would be cancelled in your country, if temp exceeds 20-25 C.

Luol Deng was just traded to the Cavaliers for Andrew Bynum and draft picks. I am not sure how this changes the balance in the East, whether it makes Chicago (or Cleveland) more competitive.

http://www.morningjournal.com/sports...eng-from-bulls

Chicago more competitive? This season? No way. They have no guys who can score the ball and they sent Deng away.. If we talk about future... i better be quiet...

[Nilanka]

Chicago more competitive? This season? No way. They have no guys who can score the ball and they sent Deng away.. If we talk about future... i better be quiet...

Isn't Bynum expected to be waived?

Chicago just got a LOT worse.

[caccia]

Isn't Bynum expected to be waived?

Chicago just got a LOT worse.

Right, I forgot about that aspect of the deal. I guess we will see if Tom Thibodeau really can coach, or whether this move will just frustrate him more than usual.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,4004271.story

[CalgaryRapsFan]

Isn't Bynum expected to be waived?

Chicago just got a LOT worse.

I expect Cleveland to take a significant leap though, essentially replacing Chicago in the playoff picture. Deng immediately upgrades their talent level on both units and provides veteran leadership that should help with all their young guys.

Beware Chicago next season and beyond! Dump Deng, could amnesty Boozer, tank this season, acquire additional future picks, Rose returns, huge cap space in the offseason... smart decision on their part to go with what could be a very quick retooling.

[Evia99]

the question is does tom thibodeau stick around for what looks to be a rebuild?

[Balls of Steel]

the question is does tom thibodeau stick around for what looks to be a rebuild?

You mean the Raptors' new head coach as of next season?

[Nilanka]

Beware Chicago next season in beyond! Dump Deng, could amnesty Boozer, tank this season, acquire additional future picks, Rose returns, huge cap space in the offseason... smart decision on their part to go with what could be a very quick retooling.

For sure. This sets up Chicago very nicely for the coming years.

[rocwell]

#Raptors are wheels up from Miami en route to Indianapolis. #RTZ

— RaptorsMR (@RaptorsMR) January 7, 2014

Guys are in the air.

PS&E COO Rick Fuson: "We've been in constant contact with NBA & local govmt. officials. All parties expect game to be played as scheduled."

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 7, 2014

[The Great One]

Cant get excited about this game. Have a feeling the Raps are going to get blown out.

[Rapstor4Life]

Indy is going to come out Hard Revenge game. I dont expect a Win tonight but we can play better D against this team than Miami. Raps could surprise again.

[MACK11]

Pacers will be looking for revenge

[rocwell]

JV is ready for polar vortex