The 2013 NBA Playoffs have seen great play and a ton of injuries to key players. These unexpected injuries have shaped and affected the NBA Playoffs in ways many didn't expect. After criticizing some of these players or taking their contributions for granted, suddenly, their absence from the roster saw their team's elimination from the playoffs. Will the Indiana Pacers be the next team bit by the injury bug to get eliminated from contention?
The Pacers were without George Hill in Game 5 and they looked like amateurs. Had the Knicks hit more than 41 percent of their shots in Game 5, this one would have been a blowout. The Knicks won Game 5, 85-75. The Pacers shot only 36 percent from the floor and had no offense in this game.
Hill is suffering from a concussion sustained in Game 4 in Indiana. He couldn't pass the league's concussion tests and, as a result, he was unavailable for Game 5. Without Hill, the Pacers are lacking more than just numbers, it's his presence on the court that helps run their offense for 39 minutes he's averaged per game in the second round against the Knicks.
The Pacers were up in the series 3-1. Now, the series is 3-2, but if Hill is absent, the Pacers' hopes of playing against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals might have taken a toll. Tyler Hansbrough is amazing off the bench, but he's not a point guard. D.J. Augustin is forced to start and it's just not the same. With no bench, the Pacers aren't confident that they can hold on to any lead as their starters are bound to need rest. The Knicks now have the advantage in the series since they are healthy and have a deep, talented bench.
Hmm, where have we seen this before in 2013?
Russell Westbrook (Knee)- Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder were up 3-0 on the Houston Rockets and all seemed good in the hood as Kevin Durant was putting in his best effort. The Rockets roared back into the series and forced the Thunder to a Game 6. The Thunder hobbled into the second round and it seemed that things were good again as Durant knocked down the game-winner against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1, but then Memphis swept them in the next four games.
Chicago Bulls (Almost Entire Roster)
Why there was so much deal about the Bulls missing Derrick Rose the playoffs makes no sense. The Bulls were self-sustaining during the regular season. However, when Joakim Noah could barely walk in the beginning of the Bulls' series against the Brooklyn Nets, things looked horrible for Chicago. Noah pulled it together as the Bulls were down 1-3 to the Nets.
The next injuries truly cost the Bulls and they started in Game 7 against the Nets. Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng went down. The Bulls were extremely physical against the Heat, but they couldn't get the wins. Had Hinrich and Deng been active, this series could have gone to seven games.
Los Angeles Lakers
It's weird. It doesn't even seem like the Lakers played in the playoffs. The fact that their entire starting lineup minus Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard were unavailable for the second half of their series is probably why the Lakers became ghosts in the playoffs. The San Antonio Spurs barely broke a sweat against L.A. The fact that Kobe Bryant had gone down a few days before simply took the air out of the Lakers' locker room.
There was no Kobe to start the playoffs and then Metta World Peace, Steve Nash and Jodie Meeks went down. The guys started for the Lakers should go unmentioned since 2013 was a very dark year for the Lakers.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics did a very good job against the Knicks, but with no Rajon Rondo in their rotation, the Celtics never really had a chance. Rondo presents youth and offense, something the Celtics lacked in their series agains the Knicks and throughout the season.
Hill updates will be provided as Game 6 tips off tomorrow. Things might look bleak unless the Pacers find a way to organize their defense.
