Well, no rest for the weary. The Pacers are on a three game slide and the opponents tonight are none other than the defending champs.

The first few weeks of an NBA season are often a crapshoot, so while we're all feeling less than positive about the team right now, we shouldn't lose perspective. In fact, a couple of bounces go differently and the team could easily be sitting at 3-1, with gutsy wins over Philly and Orlando.

Of course the record isn't the issue as much as how listless the Pacers have looked. Tyrese is playing miles below the gold standard we've come to expect from him. The offense – which used to press me to come up with endless synonyms, similes, and metaphors for fast and exciting – looks rather slow, sedate, like an old person walking around the mall for exercise, molasses in January.

I mean they just aren't getting shots up the way we're used to. That was their identity and they've lost it.

But again, it's early days and water finds its level. I still have faith in this locker room and coaching staff to right the ship, even if expecting the turn to happen tonight may not be realistic.

Injuries

Get ready to see a creative rotation at backup center. With Turner out, Carlisle says that Jackson will start and Freeman and Walker should both see reps at the backup five.

It wouldn't shock me to see Obi Toppin get some minutes there as well but his rim protection is terrible so I hope we don't see too much of that.

How to Watch

Tipoff is at 7:00 PM ET.

TV: ESPN

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan

See ya in the comments!

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