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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015
PAGE 7
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THE DAILY DEBATE
Which team will clinch the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference?
BROOKLYN NETS
With probably one of the easiest opponents left on the schedule, the Brooklyn Nets will look to get back into the NBA playoffs as they play the Orlando Magic at home on Wednesday. However, they are doing it without two core players from last year's team, after trading Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett away to different teams.
The Nets are coming off a couple of losses, to Milwaukee and Chicago, but still have one game left on the schedule. The two results were certainly disappointing, as Milwaukee has been trending down since the All Star break and Chicago hasn't been at full strength, even with a returning rose.
For the Nets, their remaining home game is in Brooklyn at the Barclays
Center, as they'll take on the Magic in a possible win-and-you're-in situation, depending on what the Indiana Pacers do with their remaining schedule.
Even without two big stars, who used to play for the Nets, Brooklyn still has some high-profile players who have been part of the team's core since it changed its name in 2012, including Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez and Deron Williams. Thaddeus Young and Jarrett Jack, who were added to the team more recently, are also excelling as two of the team's top scorers.
This combination of new and old are currently leading the team, each scoring in the double-figures each game, with Lopez leading the pack at 17.3 points per game, followed by Johnson with 14.4 points. Young scores an average of 14.1 points per game, Williams averages 13.1 points, and Jack earns an even 12 points per game.
could see the Heat miss the playoffs for the first time since LeBron James went to Miami.
The combination of the five has really been in a bond as the Eastern Conference has been wide-open all year, toward the bottom of the conference. The Nets were just below the eighth spot just last week, due to Miami losing key games, which
"THE NETS DEFINITELY NEED TO GET A WIN TO AVOID THEIR PLAYOFF HOPES BEING SHATTERED, BUT THEY'RE STILL IN GOOD POSITION."
Brooklyn has been a better franchise after moving from New Jersey appearing in the playoffs every year since moving to Brooklyn. If the Nets want to continue the success in Brooklyn, they must win. And that's exactly what they'll do.
The Nets definitely need to get a win to avoid their playoff hopes being shattered, but they're still in good position. Plus, if Indiana starts to falter, the Nets will be in a good spot to take on the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, which will take place this upcoming weekend.
- Edited by Chandler Boese
INDIANA PACERS
With the regular NBA season coming to an
end, the Eastern Conference has the eighth seed open for three or four teams to take. With their recent streak and coming of health, the Indiana Pacers have the best shot at scoring that spot.
"THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE NOW IS THAT THE PACERS HAVE... PAUL GEORGE."
After Sunday night's games, the Pacers and the Brooklyn Nets were tied for the eighth seed with a record of 37-43. The Nets had an ugly loss to the Milwaukee Bucks 96-73 on the road while Indiana was able to hold off the Oklahoma City Thunder. The
Pacers were able to outlast the Thunder in the fourth quarter to win 116-104. Russell Westbrook put up 54 points, but the Pacers' defense was able to prevent the comeback.
Even with a depleted roster all year long, the Pacers have still been able to retain one of the league's best defenses, which is why they are still playoff contenders. They rank fifth in the league in points allowed per game only giving up an average of 98 points per game. They also don't allow their opponents many shot opportunities, ranking third in the league in opponent field-goal percentage at 43.5 percent.
The biggest difference now is that the Pacers have their star back in Paul George. Although George has played limited minutes since his return, he has still been an efficient scorer in his time on the floor, averaging 10.3 points per game in an average of 14.5 minutes of action. As he gets healthier, he will start to play more, especially in the crucial games coming up. If he can help the Pacers score even more efficiently, they will be able to give opponents a tough game.
On the other side, The
Nets are right in the middle in term of both offense and defense, but rank closer to the bottom half of the league in points allowed and opponent field-goal percentage. In their final two games of the season, they play Chicago and Orlando. In order for them to have a good chance they will need to take care of business against Orlando, because the Pacers have won five straight.
The Pacers will play against the Grizzlies and the Wizards, who will both be tough matchups but if the defense can hold together they have a chance to knock them off, especially with the momentum they have carried during the past couple weeks. Although unlikely, if the Grizzlies or Wizards decided to rest their stars in the final games of the season, the Pacers could have a good chance at winning those games.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
A lot of what happens in the Pacers' final two games of the season depends on how Roy Hibbert plays. With George limited on minutes at the moment, Hibbert will have to play strong defense and help out George Hill on the offensive end.
"What I loved was that (Alicia) Pile came out and put up zeros. She struggled with that yesterday, but she came out in a critical situation today and put up zeros giving our offense some more time to figure their pitcher."
Edited by Chandler Boese
Kansas coach Megan Smith
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
A: 2006, Big 12 Tournament Champions
u: When was the last time Kansas Women's Softball won a tournament championship?
- Baseball-reference.com
THE MORNING BREW
The 2015 season for Kansas softball has been nothing short of incredible. The Jayhawks sit at 33-7 and 4-5 in conference play and they are challenging top-tier teams in the Big 12.
2015: Best chance for Kansas Softball to win first conference
the Jayhawks are led by All-Big 12 Second Team junior shortstop Chaley Brickey and freshman designated hitter Daniella Chavez. Brickley is the team's home run leader at 11 and tied for first with 49 total runs batted in. Chavez is second on the team in home runs at 12 and tied for first on the team RBIs with 49.
Chris Sitek
@ChrisSitek
Senior starting pitcher Alicia Pille leads the team with 20 wins and just two losses in 30 appearances. But the most important player for the Jayhawks success this could be team captain Maddie Stein. Stein, a senior first baseman, is fourth on the team in home runs at six, and second on the team in RBIs at 39, according to KU Athletics.
Kansas is coming off a tough road
loss Sunday in Lubbock falling 5-4 to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders got out to a 5-0 in the fifth inning, with the Jayhawks narrowing the deficit but ultimately falling short. With 13 games remaining, Kansas is ready to take on the top Big 12 teams in the conference. The team will travel to Tulsa this weekend for a two-game series against the Hurricanes. Statistically, Kansas is third in
team batting with a .287 average, and fourth in team pitching with a 5.05 ERA, according to Big12sports.com. If the Jayhawks could finish strong, winning eight of their nine
conference games, they could be the 2015 Big 12 Champions.
Edited by Miranda Davis
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