After buying my ticket for the Colts playoff game, buying my ticket for the Pacers game was easy. On my walk looking for Colts tickets, I had already checked in with the Conseco Fieldhouse box office – cheapest ticket was $10. I was planning to buy a $10 ticket from the box office when I walked by a few scalpers. I offered them $5 for a ticket and the guy asked for $10. I looked at the ticket and the face value was $125. I paid the $10 immediately.

I realized that everyone downtown was planning to attend the Colts game only and that nobody could sell a Pacers ticket. It was the perfect day to attend a Pacers game if wanted cheap seats.

Pre Game
After buying my ticket, I walked over to the first bar I saw near the stadium – The Pub Indianapolis. The place was packed with Colts and Ravens fans as was the rest of downtown Indianapolis – the main reason I had a $125 ticket for $10.

The Game
The seat I bought was 19 rows up from center court. One of the best seats I have sat in (legally) for an NBA game. When I attended the Pacers home opener, I noticed a fan who sits directly next to the basket. Tonight that same fan was there wearing a Colts jersey with name “Pacer Guy” on his back. He held up a sign that read “Tailgating at the Pacers Game” which was in fact what I was doing. I am not sure if this guy is paid by the Pacers or not, but his signs are very professional looking.

Half of the fans at the game were wearing Colts jerseys and the Conseco Fieldhouse was at least half empty. My main concern was that the game could maintain a swift pace and end with enough time to run to Lucas Oil Stadium for the Colts game.

The game was surprisingly good as the Hornets defeated the Pacers 101-96. However, I had to check the final score on my phone as I left the game after New Orleans called a timeout with 2:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. I estimated that was the best time to leave so I would miss a minimum amount of time from both games.

Triple-Doubles
Chris Paul nearly had a triple-double (22 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists). This was the closest I have been to seeing a triple-double for awhile. I have seen four triple-doubles in the past:

1) Chris Mullin – Golden State Warriors vs. Seattle SuperSonics on January 14, 1994.
2) Tim Duncan – San Antonio Spurs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers on March 25, 2000.
3) Jason Kidd – New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors on February 2, 2002.
4) Lamar Odom – Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets on April 3, 2007.