Pacers coach Rick Carlisle indicated before the game that Nesmith would be on a minutes restriction. He ended up being on a tighter one than All-Star point guard Tyrese ... to stave off a fourth ...

But in case it isn't, here's a look at why a deal for Johnson involving Nesmith and Toppin might make sense for the Pacers ... take off. When a play is otherwise broken down, guards will flip ...

A potentially sleepy NBA trade season appears fully awakened. And with a week still remaining before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, there is plenty of time ...