NBA News 2014: Pacers To Sit First Five Versus Bucks

Frank Vogel, head coach of the Indiana Pacers, announced on April 9, 2014 that all of the team's starting five will not be playing against the Milwaukee Bucks. The alternative starters for the game will be Luis Scola, Evan Turner, Donald Sloan, Iam Mahinmi and Rasual Butler. C.J. Watson, is also expected to play, according to Sports Illustrated. 

Vogel said that Paul George, David West, Roy Hibbert, George Hill and Lance Stephenson will not be playing. He decided to let them rest and heal from bruises and other minor pains and discomfort. He said that the team is not playing good basketball in the meantime, including the bench. The players are tired and have to heal. The bench also needs to improve their game and providing them with extra minutes of play is a good way to accomplish it.

The Pacers are currently No. 2 but still aim to end up as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference by the end of the NBA regular season. 

In a report by SB Nation, the Pacers are 13-13 after the All-Star break. Vogel's decision is controversial, but the Pacers can still finish at No. 1 if they win against the Bucks and the Miami Heat loses to Memphis. Vogel remains adamant that resting the first five is strategic and aimed to accomplishing bigger things, especially in the playoffs. 

Vogel emphasized that although the starting five will be sitting out the Bucks game, they will be back for practice on April 10 and face defending champions Miami Heat on April 11, 2014. At the same time, the bench players will again be healing during the Heat game. The Pacers' first five used to be very effective, outscoring opponents by a around 10 points for every 100 possessions on average. In their last 20 games, their performance declined, being outscored by opponents at about one point for every 100 possessions, writes NBA.com.