Important Note: All radio programming currently on FM 93.5/1070 The Fan will now also be heard on FM 107.5 as of Thursday. That will include all remaining Indiana Pacers games this season. To get fans ready for the move, Tuesday's and Wednesday's games will be on FM 107.5 as well before the official switch.
Matchup
With a decisive win over the 76ers on Sunday,the playoff picture is officially a traffic jam.
The games between now and Tuesday's meeting with the Timberwolves at Bankers Life Fieldhouse should allow the Eastern Conference standings to settle a bit, but as of Sunday night, the fifth seed through the seventh seed all posted identical 37-36 records, setting the stage for a thrilling stretch run.
During their Sunday win, Myles Turner put forth one of the best performances of his young career, tying his career high with 16 boards. Additionally, the second-year center racked up 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Track the Pacers' Playoff Push »
A key reason for his success was being able to stay out of foul trouble, which he's struggled to do for much of the season. Turner is currently fourth in the NBA in personal fouls, accumulating 235 this season.
But during's Sunday's comfortable victory, the 76ers were without the services of Jahlil Okafor. The matchup won't be as kind come Tuesday, as Turner squares off against Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns, the reigning Rookie of the Year. This season, Towns has been a matchup nightmare for opponents and has averaged a ridiculous 27.3 points and 13.3 rebounds while shooting 60.2 percent from the field since the All-Star break.
Just weeks ago, it appeared the T-Wolves were making a charge towards the postseason, winning 7-of-10 games. But since that sustained stretch of play, Minnesota has struggled, dropping six contests in a row entering Tuesday's matchup.
With games against playoff-bound teams like the Grizzlies, Raptors, and Cavaliers on the horizon, Indiana (37-36) needs to take advantage of its matchup against the Timberwolves (28-44), who the Pacers bested 109-103 on the road in their last meeting.
Projected Starters
Jeff Teague
Monta Ellis
Paul George
Thaddeus Young
Myles Turner
Ricky Rubio
Brandon Rush
Andrew Wiggins
Gorgui Dieng
Karl-Anthony Towns
Pacers: PG - Jeff Teague, SG - Paul George, SF - C.J. Miles, PF - Thaddeus Young, C - Myles Turner
Timberwolves: PG - Ricky Rubio, SG - Brandon Rush, SF - Andrew Wiggins, PF - Gorgui Dieng, C - Karl-Anthony Towns
Injury Report
Pacers: Glenn Robinson III - out (sore left calf), Al Jefferson - out (sprained left ankle), Rodney Stuckey - out (left patellar tendon strain)
Timberwolves: Nemanja Bjelica - out (fractured navicular bone in left foot), Zach LaVine - out (torn ACL), Nikola Pekovic - out (recurring right ankle pain)
Last Meeting
January 26, 2017: On the night he was officially named to the 2016-17 All-Star team, Paul George put on a show, scoring 32 points while leading the Pacers to a 109-103 win over the Timberwolves at the Target Center.
Myles Turner played a large role as well, adding 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting to aid the Pacers' road victory.
"They brought it tonight," George said of his teammates. "They helped me bring it tonight. When those guys are locked in, I'm locked in as well. Tonight was a very good group effort to win on the road."
Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota with 33 points and 10 rebounds, going 13-for-23 from the field and 4-for-6 from 3-point range. Zach LaVine added 23 points and five assists in the loss.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers lead the all-time series between the two teams 35-18, with a 21-5 edge in Indiana.
- Indiana has won three straight games against the Timberwolves.
- T-Wolves guard Brandon Rush was drafted by the Pacers in 2008 and played three seasons in Indiana.
Tickets
The Pacers will try to build on their momentum from Sunday's win as they enter a Tuesday showdown with the reigning Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns and his Minnesota Timberwolves. Find Tickets »
Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070. Additionally, all radio programming currently on FM 93.5/1070 The Fan will now also be heard on FM 107.5 as of Thursday. That will include all remaining Indiana Pacers games this season. To get fans ready for the move, Tuesday's and Wednesday's games will be on FM 107.5 as well before the official switch.
Home Court Gift Shop Game Night Special
Primary Logo Tee - $12. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.
Construction Note: The Delaware St. entrance to the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage is no longer in operation due to the construction of the St. Vincent Center. To enter the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage, please use the entrance located at the intersection of E Maryland St. and S Alabama St.
In addition, the southbound lane of Delaware Street from Maryland to just south of the train bridge will be closed for the duration of the construction project.