Indy company prints shirts for Pacers 'gold out'

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - When the Indiana Pacers hit the hard court Thursday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for Game 3 of the Second Round of the NBA playoffs, their fans will be decked out in gold.

More than 20,000 gold T-shirts are being printed to be given to fans at Thursday night's game. Maingate Inc., a merchandising company on Rockville Road in Indianapolis, began printing the vast amount of T-shirts Tuesday afternoon.

"We're looking for a great gold out" said Maingate President/CEO, Dave Moroknek. "It’s even more exciting now that we have the win under our belts."

The Pacers took a 76-75 lead in the 4th quarter Tuesday night in Game 2 and then shut out the Heat in the final three minutes for a thrilling 78-75 victory. The Pacers' win tied the series 1-1 as the team returns to Indianapolis now for home court advantage.

The front of the gold T-shirt reads "Gold Swagger" in large print. The back of the T-shirt, in smaller print reads, in all caps, "ROUND TWO-AHH," which harkens back to long-time Pacers announcer Reb Porter who retired in 2010.

"There are two phrases that the Pacers franchise is linked to," says Eddie White, host of the Pacers Overtime Show. "First, when a 3-pointer is made, you hear 'Boom Baby.' The other is 'Two-Ahh' which is from longtime announcer Reb Porter."

The Pacers organization contacted Maingate, Inc. when the Pacers won Round 1, beating out the Orlando Magic to move on to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Heat. Together, the two decided to supply T-shirts for fans at Game 3 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

"This [T-shirt] will be put on their seats. When they get to their seats, there will be one sitting there waiting for them to put on. So, the whole nation will see a great gold out" said Moroknek.

Maingate, Inc. will also supply blue-and-gold towels for Game 4 to pepper throughout the facility of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game is scheduled for Sunday, May 20 at 3:30 p.m.

In Game 2 Tuesday night, David West led the Pacers with 16 points and 10 rebounds, his second double-double in two games against Miami and the eighth of his postseason career. George Hill scored 15. Danny Granger had 11 points, six rebounds and three assists. Paul George had 10 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. The Pacers shot 38 percent and committed 20 turnovers but out-rebounded Miami 50-40.

"They're a physical team, we're a physical team but it's who's going to be mentally strong when the time counts," said Pacers center Roy Hibbert.