I just want to come out and say that the NBA Cup is the best thing ever. Last year, we made it to the Finals and it was incredibly fun. This year we got knocked out in Group Play and the resulting break turned our season around.

There has been a lot of talk about why NBA ratings are down (though they weren't yesterday) but I think the simplest fix is to just build in more rest. It's not rocket science that when players are healthy and rested the quality of play is lightyears better than when they are playing every other night and spending their off-days on planes.

Anyway, the good news is it really does seem like the Pacers have turned a corner as a team. They are on a five-game win streak and just swept a West Coast road trip. With Andrew Nembhard and Ben Sheppard back in the fold, they generally resemble the team that made a deep playoff run less than a year ago. The ball is hopping on offense and they are rotating with intention on defense.

What could go wrong, right?

Well, the schedule is about to get incredibly tough, starting with the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.

OKC is 23-5 on the year, possessing the league's best defense and a top-ten offense. Their hallmark on both sides of the ball is winning the turnover battle.

After shutting down Steph Curry on Christmas Eve-Eve, Andrew Nembhard will have his hands full again against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA is basically Jalen Brunson's craftiness in Tyrese Haliburton's frame, making him a nearly impossible cover. However, if Nembhard can stay disciplined and the Pacers can avoid the need to throw doubles at SGA all game, it will allow the rest of the Pacers to stay home on the myriad of shooters the Thunder have surrounding their star.

On the offensive end, the Pacers need to be ready for a rock fight. Even with Alex Caruso and Chet Holmgren out, the Thunder still have plenty of defensive menaces to hound the Pacers in SGA, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams.

Injuries

For the Thunder, Chet Holmgren (hip fracture) is out. Alex Caruso (hip strain) is out. Nikola Topic (torn ACL) is out. Branden Carlson (concussion protocol) is out.

How to Watch

Tipoff is at 7:00 PM ET.

TV: FanDuel Sports Network, NBA League Pass

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan

See ya in the comments!

Tagged in:

Game Thread