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Pacers look to finish second half of season strong

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Off days are rare in the NBA, so the Pacers decided to take advantage of the All-Star Game break by getting the heck out of town.

“I went to the Bahamas for a little while,” said Pacers center Myles Turner.

Pacers forward Thaddeus Young said, “I was in Cabo with my family, hanging out by the pool. Enjoying my time with the family. Out there playing, so dang cool. My heart skipped seven beats.”

Pacers guard Darren Collison gave highlights of his break: “Chill with my wife and my son. Had sun. Seen some good weather.”

Pacers head coach Nate McMillan said, “We talked about that before we left. We wanted guys to get away and really spend time, give themselves some time and give their families time because we know that this stretch is going to be a grind.”

Coming off the All-Star break, the Pacers not only sit in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, they also own the fifth-best record in the NBA. However, the players still don’t feel like they’re getting the respect they deserve.

“Whatever happens, happens. That’s always been our motto,” Young said. “Obviously we don’t like it. We feel that we can play with any of those teams that’s on the board. We have played with those teams. That is the reason why we’re three.”

Collison said, “I stopped caring about it at the end of my career because I understand that that’s not more important. At the end of the day, no matter if you have a name or not, you’ve still got to go out on the court and you’ve got to prove it.”

The blue and gold look to prove it Friday at home against the Pelicans.