The Pacers have made their presence felt again, similar to how they did a couple of years back and even last year. It’s hard to believe they weren’t performing well a decade ago. Really, a whole ten years?
The Pacers are a constant in the league; they never really undergo a rebuild and certainly don’t tank. They just want to integrate Dahntay Jones into their lineup and see how the East unfolds.
Last year’s Eastern Conference bracket was tumultuous, especially with the Knicks facing injuries. This year, the Pacers are similarly cautious. Cleveland has emerged as the top regular-season team in the East, despite some injuries on their side. Still, the Pacers managed to defeat several of the East’s best teams during the season, and they were on track to upset Cleveland in Game 1 when Evan Mobley got hurt.
Did Mobley’s injury play to the Pacers’ advantage? I think it’s unclear, but the Pacers seem to feel they have the upper hand since the status of two Cleveland All-Stars is questionable as they lead 2-0 in the series.
This brings up a frequent question just outside Indianapolis.
What time zone is Indianapolis in? Is Indiana in the same time zone?
It feels like a central hub, right? “Indiana,” “Flyover Country,” “Midwest.” But it’s technically in the Eastern Time Zone.
Eastern? Like, Manhattan’s East?
Indeed, most of Indiana observes Eastern Time, with a few exceptions in the northwest part of the state. A line runs through the state, and in the early 2020s, signs were erected to help drivers switch between Eastern and Central Time—this came about a decade and a half after mobile phones became popular.
Interestingly, Indiana only acknowledged daylight saving time in 2006. Yes, really.
This period coincides with when the Pacers played in the Central Zone and later in the Eastern. People in and outside Indiana didn’t fuss much about the timing; the corn grew fine, and that’s what really mattered.
Good basketball in Indiana existed long before the introduction of daylight saving time. DST was actually tested in Canada before making its way down—much like a winter survival tactic, mirroring Canadian practices.
Meanwhile, the rest of the U.S. embraced daylight saving time as a patriotic effort in 1918; Indiana was not part of that movement. They didn’t want to disrupt the sleep patterns of their youth—those kids who were busy farming corn.
Take Homer Stonebreaker, for instance.
Homer, known as “Stony,” capped off his third basketball season at Wabash College in 1918. Rumor had it that a local talent named “Homer Stonebreaker” was making waves on the court.
He was quite the player, leading Wingate to state championships in 1913 and 1914. When “weather allowed,” as they say. Winters in Indiana can be brutal; during those seasons, Wingate traveled 576 miles for one and 1,675 miles for another.
Stonebreaker was a standout athlete, even between teams. The 6’4″ center scored 74 points in a single game, averaging 25 points in his fourth year against other teams.
Wingate clinched state titles in 1913 and 1914, with most games played on the road. This grueling schedule certainly prepared the team for the Indiana Tournament and the long journey to Bloomington.
The local newspaper hailed Wingate’s victory as a tribute to rural communities.
It praised the “young man who worked the land and raised corn” as having an edge over “city folks” and their distractions.
Did you catch that, Jarrett Allen? Quite the gasp-worthy moment, right?
The Cavaliers have a lot more to tackle if they want to bounce back in the Eastern semifinals. The series has admittedly been intense so far.
In Game 1, the action was fierce, while Game 2 had viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering about some questionable calls. Injuries have certainly impacted the Cavs as Darius Garland struggled leading into Game 2.
The consensus is that having Garland back will only enhance Cleveland’s gameplay, even if some think otherwise.
Not having Deandre Hunter was less than ideal, and the Pacers capitalized on that gap with some timely plays. However, Mobley’s value to the team cannot be overstated. He’s a vital component, and while Jarrett Allen could play a decisive role as well, there have been questions about his contributions.
The Cavaliers are well-prepared for the road ahead, balancing the needed wins over two challenging games. Meanwhile, the Pacers are more than ready to defend their turf. The local food scene isn’t what it used to be, and with closures of many fireworks displays, the home team really needs to step up.
Maturin has proven to be an impactful, though sometimes shaky, defender, but he consistently delivers in scoring, contributing significantly in both games. The Cavaliers seem to maintain possession better against Indiana, and it’s hard to pin the blame solely on the Pacers’ focus.
The bench players initially pushed the Pacers to victory in Game 1, but they stumbled a bit in Game 2. That said, the Pacers have been strong since the turn of the year, showcasing an experimental and dynamic approach, unlike Cleveland’s more traditional style. The series is turning out to be both unexpected and thrilling, proving that the Pacers’ style is anything but a surprise.
As for those chickens? They might astonish you. Watch your step.
