Lakers’ Loss (Bryant) and Pacers’ Gain (Conseco)

The NBA finals began, at last. Reggie Miller stopped making excuses and started hitting jumpers. Larry Bird wisely scrapped his strategy of trying to cover Shaquille O’Neal with one man and sent reinforcements. And the littlest Pacer, Travis Best, came off the bench to create the kind of havoc he did all season.

Two things have come into play that could dramatically change this series: Kobe Bryant’s sprained left ankle and Conseco Fieldhouse.

Bryant’s absence is tangible. He’s the Lakers second-leading scorer, their most athletic player, a player very few opponents can cover or get away from.

What’s better for the Pacers in the short run, long run or any other run is playing in Conseco Fieldhouse, the best arena in all of basketball, the most advantageous home court in the NBA. The best four home courts the past 20 years in the NBA have been Boston Garden, the old Chicago Stadium, Utah’s Delta Center and lately Arco Arena in Sacramento. But now, Conseco Fieldhouse goes to the top of the list.

The seats are divided into three decks, and they snuggle right up to the court like an old-time gym. It’s loud without artificial junk being piped in. And the place is like a tonic to the Pacers. They had the best home record in the NBA. They play so much better here, it’s like they’re a different team.