One day at a time!! pic.twitter.com/TYrGmF5TeD

Ideally, Pacers wouldn't have to fly home tonight and jump back into action on Monday against the Clippers. But the NBA schedule isn't ideal for any team.

Next man up, @PatBoylanPacers, did a great job tonight in his debut as an NBA play by play broadcaster.

Pacers fortunate to escape with a big win. A good win considering all the circumstances, but man, they almost gave it away. Couldn't get a good shot on their last possession and couldn't control the rebound.

If you were complaining that Holiday replaced McConnell in the lineup, Holiday had something for you with that three-pointer.

McConnell now with 10 assists in 13 minutes.

Pacers shot 60% in the first half. Would be up more than 6 if not for defensive lapses and Knicks energy boost from coaching change.

Does anybody get more good rolls off the rim than @TJ Warren? Shows a good shooting touch.

TJ McConnell has played 7 minutes and has 6 assists.

Last four times the Pacers had to make an in-season coaching change, they won the first game. Frank Vogel, Bob Hill, Dick Versace and George Irvine. It usually gives a team a bump.

Malcolm Brogdon is questionable tonight at Knicks with a sore right hand. You could see him in pain and looking down at it last night in Detroit.

Letsssssssss get it @XavierMBB #beatUC pic.twitter.com/fWiJ0f5G7L

Ice in my veins!! pic.twitter.com/KkFG7xblzj

McMillan clearly unhappy after this one: "Execution. It's always about execution and we didn't execute ... They (Pistons) were the aggressors all night long. Just seemed they wanted it a little more than we did."

Pacers have shown great promise, but have yet to establish themselves as a clutch team. Missed free throws from good shooters, turnovers, defensive lapses ... Oladipo will make a difference there, but growth is needed.

Pacers have missed two free throws, one each from Brogdon and Sabonis, that could prove costly. Always interesting to see veteran pros deal with pressure foul shots.

Three big baskets down the stretch from T.J. "Scoring is Easy" Warren.

Pacers have an uncanny knack for fouling three-point shooters.

Barry Collier is responsible for the Butler Way. But who is responsible for Barry Collier finding his way to Butler in the first place? My story in the IBJ. Might have to pick up a copy on a newsstand if you're not a subscriber.
ibj.com/articles/this-…

Turner finishes first half with 1 point on 0-4 shooting, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 blocks in 16 minutes. Struggling.

Pacers start poorly, finally get around to falling behind by double figures to implement the Theorem. And whaddya know, @TJ Warren immediately hits a 3 and @Domantas Sabonis scores underneath to make it a six-point game. See how that works?

New subscriber-only podcast - with @mikesmeltz: A discussion on my Nate McMillan up-close feature, how he’s adapted through the years and empowers both coaches and players.

Not a subscriber? Join at 40% off: theathletic.com/fieldhousefiles

🎧: theathletic.com/podcast/131-fi…

Dozens of books of all genres by Indiana authors, including these, will be represented at the Indiana Author Fair at the Historical Center at 450 West Ohio Street on Saturday from 12 to 4. Great place to take care of your Christmas shopping. pic.twitter.com/Um1eGovxku

🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZFKWlxiS1i

🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/tT6H3T1anR

NEW: Social media is an amazing tool for information and connecting the world. But it can also be a dark place and lead to mindless scrolling. Two Pacers players recently signed off.

“I think it’s a good refresher, a way to restart my mind a little bit.”

theathletic.com/1433399/2019/1…

Which shirt would you wear? 1 or 2? pic.twitter.com/3z6aXWirob

On the latest @FieldhouseFiles podcast:

@DaveDuFourNBA and I discuss the Pacers’ impressive start, two guys playing at an All-Star level, whether coach’s challenges are worthwhile and G League practice for Oladipo.

🎧: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fie…

Also, I appreciated this candor from T.J. Warren, who scored a game-high 24pts. He won 19gms last season in PHX; Pacers are 14-7.

“I knew what I was capable of. To see my scoring translate to wins means a lot, but I know we have a lot more work to do. “

theathletic.com/1434676/2019/1…

Doug McDermott didn’t have the year he wanted last season and vowed to be more aggressive. He’s been that and more — and Nate McMillan has deliberately staggered Sabonis’ minutes even more this week to maximize the second unit.

theathletic.com/1434676/2019/1…

If you ever wonder why Doug McDermott is interviewed so often on television in the postgame locker room, it's because he showers and dresses quickly. Availability counts.

Pacers finish with 7 in double figures, typical for them. @Justin Holiday and @Doug McDermott both hit 5-of-9 shots off the bench, including 2-of-3 three-pointers. Holiday is a 35% career 3-point shooter but has hit 19 of his previous 30. McDermott hitting 44% of threes for the season

Huge steal by Justin Holiday to kill any hope OKC had. Pacers hang on, 107-100, completing the season sweep.

Warren led all w/ 24pts. McDermott (14) had a big stretch and Turner hit a critical 3-pointer late after Sabonis went to the bench with 5PFs.

Up next: in DET on Friday.

That's a good win for the Pacers over OKC. This was a game that easily could have slipped through the cracks coming off a win in Memphis.

Lamb and Warren are huge for the Pacers with their ability to create a shot when the offense breaks down.

Between McMillan and Sabonis, safe to say official Scott Wall won’t be receiving a Christmas card from the Pacers.

Pacers clinging to a five-point lead. One minute to go

I was questioning putting Turner in the game for Sabonis right up to that three-pointer he hit.

Brutal last 23 seconds for Domantas Sabonis, picking up three fouls. He now has five and Turner replaces him.

If the Pacers win this game, those two offensive rebounds and put-back by Sabonis will be hard to beat for Play of the Game competition. As if there's a competition.

McDermott heads out after a productive stint, almost nine minutes of game time. He has 14pts. Pacers staying small, going with Justin Holiday at the 4.

They’re up two in OKC with 4:23 left.

You can't keep @Doug McDermott off the boards, don't even try!

Assertive Doug McDermott has been a fun development this year. He benefits a lot from better spacing with this group and T.J. McConnell almost always finds him…

McDermott is a great shooter when his feet are set. He tends to shoot line drives on catch-and-shoot attempts coming off screens.

7-0 run by the Pacers to end the third quarter, where they scored 30pts. This game is moving along quickly with only 12 combined FTAs.

Pacers, up 79-78, now with five in double figures, led by T.J. Warren’s 18.

Pacers hit last five shots of third quarter to take 79-78 lead. McConnell with 7 assists, 0 turnovers.

Thunder scoring far too easily. They’re on a 14-6 run and shooting 54% for the game, the best by an Indiana opponent since … opening night, if it holds.

Chris Paul has played 22 minutes and has not yet scored. 0 for 3, with seven assists.

He’s earning $38.5M this season — as much as Oladipo ($21M) + Turner ($18M).

Nate McMillan not liking the Pacers’ energy level to begin the second half. “That’s lazy! C’mon blue!”

Pacers had just four turnovers first half. So did Thunder, for that matter. Pacer reserves had exactly zero.

The atmopshere from Monday (in Memphis) to tonight (in OKC) couldn’t be more different. So loud in here that they’re leaning on signals to communicate during the game.

Thunder, with 36pts in the paint, leadoin the Pacers by one, 50-49. Brogdon has 10pts.