When: 7:00 PM EST; Saturday, March 21st, 2015
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse; Indianapolis, IN
TV: YES
In their three matchups this season, the Nets and Bucks have played six overtime periods, in addition to the usual 12 quarters of 144 minutes. Back in November, Brooklyn fell to Jason Kidd’s young Milwaukee team at Barclays in a thrilling three-overtime affair. Brooklyn, in February, then went to Wisconsin, losing 103-97 in regulation to the Bucks.
But, last night, the Nets finally got their revenge with yet another three-overtime affair, marking the first time in history two teams twice played three extra periods in the same season.
The Bucks-Nets are in 3OT for the 2nd time this yr. This is the 1st time in NBA history 2 teams played multiple 3OT games in a season.#Elias
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 21, 2015
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It wasn’t easy–three Bucks players posted 20-and-10 performances while Zaza Pachulia (yes, that Zaza Pachulia) grabbed 18 OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS, tied for third-most in league history–but the Nets ended up getting the win, pushing them to just 1.5 games out of the playoffs. They might have been outrebounded 81-53 (yep) but Brook Lopez posted 32 points and 18 boards and Thaddeus Young and Joe Johnson contributed 20-plus point games, which ended up being enough for Brooklyn.
Now, with an insanely quick turnaround, the Nets are in Indianapolis to take on the Pacers, which lost to the Cavaliers in Cleveland last night. There was some talk Indiana’s Paul George–who has been out all season due to the nasty leg injury he suffered this summer–would return tonight but this was refuted by coach Frank Vogel, a New Jersey native. Also, David West (illness), who was expected to be out for the Pacers, will play, which isn’t the best news for the Nets.
Before their current four-game losing streak, the Pacers had won seven in a row to get themselves right back into the playoff race. Overall, from February 4th to March 12th, Indiana went 13-2 to turn its once-dead season right around. Guys like Rodney Stuckey, George Hill, former Net C.J. Watson, Roy Hibbert and West, to name a few, have stepped up for Vogel, who has brought the Pacers to the verge of a postseason berth.
Probable Lineups
BKN- Deron Williams (PG), Markel Brown (SG), Joe Johnson (SF), Thaddeus Young (PF), Brook Lopez (C)
IND- George Hill (PG), C.J. Miles (SG), Solomon Hill (SF), Luis Scola (PF), Roy Hibbert (C)
Final Thoughts
Brooklyn’s only other game with the Pacers this season–in December at Barclays–ended in a blowout win for the road team, 110-85. That’s why this game is so important for the Nets, not just for getting closer to that No. 8 seed, but also for the potential tiebreaking ramifications. Still, after such a tiring game the night before, it will not be an easy one for Brooklyn.
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