so sad:the NBA subpented Darko Rajaković….

After defeating the Raptors, the Pacers are set to host NBA All-Star weekend.

Never before has JWB been more precisely defined as it was on Valentine’s Day night, following the Pacers’ 127-125 victory over the Raptors.

Just prevail, sweetie!

Other than the W, there are no lessons to be learned from this one. The play in the game was similar to the effort that resulted in a defeat in Charlotte. The Pacers’ winning time boost in the closing minutes and their 16-for-29 three-point shooting performance gave them a 10-point lead against the Raptors. Toronto scored 84 points in the paint, including 40 in transition, and controlled the glass, 56 to 39.

How did the Pacers win this game, you ask?

Yes, that’s right. keeping a straight face, counting to three, and figuring out how to finish. That surge of victory? Look no farther than Ben Sheppard, my man whom I have been praising for his ability to play D and who performed like the inevitable next generation Buddy successor. Shep’s two 3-balls in the fourth quarter were crucial to the outcome. As was the Raptors’ last possession, in which Shep blocked RJ Barrett’s attempts to get to the basket three times in a row before Barrett tried a disputed fade-away shot in the lane that was rebounded.

With the W packed, the Pacers advanced toward the boundary.

Weekend of the All-Stars
The NBA All-Star festivities have begun, and the Pacers have returned to Indianapolis, a city that is transformed into a basketball haven.

Tyrese Haliburton appears to be the city’s MC to get things going, as seen by his appearances on many podcasts, including a live podcast at The Vogue on Thursday night with Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. This came during the kick-off celebration at Bicentennial Plaza, when Hali arrived in a two-seater Indianapolis Car piloted by Connor Daly, a local celebrity.

Along with spending some time with the Crispus Attucks basketball team, Haliburton also gave the players a lovely Nike gift. This year’s Attucks squad is led by Ron Rutland III and Dezmon Briscoe, two more gifted players. On Thursday, Attucks received more attention when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver declared that the Pacers and the league will collaborate to erect a statue outside of the high school in honor of Oscar Robertson.