The Gambler: vs. Indiana

Opponent: Indiana Pacers
Line: -6.5

Gambler's Record: 21-22-1

George Michael: "That's Ann. She's my girlfriend."
George Sr.: "Her?"
George Michael: "Yeah... she's really funny."
George Sr.: "Let's hope so."
-Arrested Development

Oh Indiana, what do you have to hope for? Your image as some hoops heartland, built strong on the backs of Hoosiers and Bobby Knight, is all but a distant memory. Your team has the incredibly talented Danny Granger, but he's surrounded by the sporadically effective play of Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy, the unathletic Roy Hibbert, and the NBA's biggest A-hole Jeff Foster.

Oh, and University of Indiana basketball program has been terrible since Bobby Knight was run out of town on a rail (What's that? They made the national championship game in '02? Doesn't count because those were still Bobby Knight guys, and besides their best player was Tom Coverdale!). You poor, identityless basketball fans...

What percentage of Pacer fans watch "Hoosiers" in a drunken stupor and reminisce about the glory days? Is it over 10 percent? I say yes.

Now, the Pacers do scare me a little bit. Between Dunleavy, Murphy, and Granger they have guys that can shoot and score. Granger can't do it all by himself, but if those two yokels get hot then this team can put up some points. And, with Hibbert shoving people around down low, we could have our hands full.

In the days before Camby, Juwan Howard, and Andre Miller I would have been concerned, but not anymore. Their veteran presence will insure that we keep the role players from contributing too much, and the raw ability of our young studs will overwhelm Indiana and run them out of the building.

I wouldn't want to be a Pacer fan for the next, oh, let's say ten years. And I certainly wouldn't want to be one tonight.

Take the Blazers.