Basketball 
/ Nick Shiambouros / 08 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Danny Granger in combative mode
"Indiana have played some decent basketball during first half of the season and are currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference."
After a few indifferent seasons, the Indiana Pacers are back in play-off contention. Nick Shiambouros is backing them to beat struggling opposition this weekend...
Founded in 1967 by a group of investors, the Indiana Pacers played in the American Basketball Association and won three championships over nine years. In 1976 they joined the NBA when the two leagues merged.
The Pacers found life very difficult in the NBA and finished their inaugural season with a record of 36-46.The team struggled for many years due to a lack of funding and poor season ticket sales.
In 1987, Reggie Miller was drafted from UCLA and a new era began. Miller quickly became a household name with his outstanding three point shooting ability and court vision. Miller helped Indiana become one of the elite teams in basketball during the 90's.
In the 1999-2000 season the Pacers won the Eastern Conference and a trip to the NBA finals to play Los Angeles. They lost the series 4-2 but were certainly not disgraced against a very deep Laker team. Five years later, Reggie Miller retired, after 18 glorious years with Indiana.
Since the departure of Miller, the Pacers have spent time in the wilderness but there are signs that things are improving. They have played some decent basketball during first half of the season and are currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
The current team is led by Danny Granger who is one of the most improved players in the game. Granger was drafted in 2005 and his scoring average has soared in the past few seasons. He is averaging over 20 points per game and is clearly the future of this team.
Another player who has improved significantly is shooting guard Mike Dunleavy, one of the most consistent players in the rotation and a real workhorse. He has developed a good understanding with Danny Granger and is a real asset to the team.
The Pacers signed college superstar Tyler Hansbrough in 2009 but his rookie season was cut short due to a series of inner ear problems. Hansbrough has recovered from injury and is enjoying a decent year for Indiana, averaging over seven points per game. He is a strong presence inside the painted area and is one of the reasons the Pacers are in playoff contention.
The Pacers have a couple of relatively easy games coming up this weekend against some modest opposition. On Friday, they host the Minnesota Timberwolves who are having another dreadful season in last place in the Western Conference and have won just 12 games all season long.
On Saturday Indiana travel to Milwaukee who have a record of 19-30. The Bucks are not playing with a great deal of intensity and are currently on a four game losing streak.
I think Indiana has an outstanding chance of winning both these games and I will be backing them accordingly. They have a realistic chance of making the playoffs for the first time since 2006.This is a talented team that will only get better with time.
Recommended bets:
Friday February 11 - back Indiana with advertised handicap v Minnesota
Saturday February 12 - back Indiana in the match odds market v Milwaukee
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