The Indiana Pacers began the week with defensive identity issues to be answered. They seemed to be evolving into a primarily offensive team that did not know how to close out on shooters. With 3 of the next 4 games against playoff teams, the Pacers needed to answer the bell and they did just that. The first contest was against the same team they faced in the first game of the season, the Toronto Raptors.
The game was a very unique game full of runs, especially in the first half. The Pacers started horribly on offense and worse on defense as the Raptors jumped out to a 26-5 run early in the first quarter. After a Pacers timeout, the Pacers finally woke up and created a run of 39-4 to take a 44-30 lead with 4:00 remaining in the second quarter and led 52-41 at the half. They were given a great spark off the bench provided by Jordan Hill who had 9 points at the half. The second half saw the Pacers continue to extend their lead behind strong bench play. After outscoring the Raptors bench 25-8 in the first half, the bench contributed 20 additional points in the second half as they extended the lead to as many as 25 points. Jordan Hill played perhaps his best game as a Pacer. He dominated the boards and the Toronto Raptors frontline as he finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds and he led the Pacers to a 106-90 victory. The Pacers defense was much improved as they forced 21 Raptors turnovers and held the team to 36% shooting for the game.
The next game for the week was one that Monta Ellis had circled on his calendar and that was against his former team in the Dallas Mavericks. The first half was a low scoring affair as both teams struggled from the field. Monta Ellis started cold as he went scoreless in the first half. The hot shooting from C.J. Miles kept the Pacers close as they trailed 47-45 at the half. George Hill and C.J. Miles combined for 23 of the 45 Pacers points, but as a team, the offense was stagnant and without ball movement. The bench brigade came through once again in the second half as Miles and Rodney Stuckey continued to give the Pacers a big boost. The intensity for the Pacers increased on both sides as they caught fire from three and closed out on all shooters for the Mavericks. The Pacers outscored the Mavericks 62-34 in the second half and coasted to an easy 107-81 victory. Monta Ellis provided a big third quarter and helped the Pacers gain the separation they needed as he scored 13 of his 19 points in the third quarter. Miles was the leading scorer for the Pacers with 20 points off the bench as the Pacers made 11 threes on the night and shot 48% from the field for the game. The defense was suffocating in the second half as they held the Mavericks to only 37% for the game and 8/33 from three. The Mavericks only committed 12 turnovers, but 9 of them were live turnovers that the Pacers converted into 20 fast break points.
The next game for the Pacers was a textbook “trap game” against the Brooklyn Nets. Both teams started extremely slow as both teams could not create much separation in the first half. With the Pacers only leading by two at halftime, it gave the Nets life going into the second half. Jarrett Jack lived up to his “Pacer Killer” status as he lead the charge in the third as the Nets took a 77-72 lead going into the fourth. Jack finished with 26 points and 6 assists as the nets took a 81-74 lead early in the fourth. The Pacers responded with a strong 15-2 run lead by Paul George and Rodney Stuckey to take a 89-83 lead. Jordan Hill provided another strong spark to keep the Nets at bay as he scored 10 points in a 3 minute stretch to give the Pacers a 10 point lead with two minutes remaining as they held on for a 104-97 victory. The Pacers defense was not the greatest but held a third straight opponent under 100 points and 42% shooting. That is a good recipe for success as the Pacers are very capable of scoring at least 100 points per game. Jordan Hill continued to be a difference maker as he posted another double double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The final game of the week was predicted to be the Pacers biggest test as it was on the second night of a back to back against the Memphis Grizzlies. A team that used to be a mirror of the Pacers, the Grizzlies are now a nightmare for the Pacers due to their experience and physical defense. The nightmare became real as the Grizzlies defense crowded the paint and forced the Pacers to settle for long range shots. Paul George was strong early in the game as he scored 11 points in the opening quarter, but the Pacers still were down early in the game and only mustered 16 points in the first quarter and 43 in the half. The Pacers were fortunate to only trail 44-43 at the half as the Grizzlies offense was struggling as it has all year. The Pacers took their first and only lead on a George Hill floater at 48-46 early in the third quarter, but were outscored 16-4 by Mike Conley Jr. and Marc Gasol as they led 62-50 and never looked back as they won 96-84. The Pacers never really challenged the Grizzlies key players or made them uncomfortable as they shot 45% for the game, which is much higher than their season average. The biggest struggle for the Pacers was C.J. Miles, as he was sluggish all game and went scoreless, shooting 0-9 from the field. The Pacers simply could not make the shots given to them as they shot 39% from the field and 17% from three.
The Pacers had a expected, but strong week filled with improved defense and an offense that failed them in Memphis, but successful otherwise. The Pacers held every opponent to 97 points or less and under 45% shooting. They held opponents to 91 points per game on 39.9% shooting and 32% shooting. The improved defense led to their 3-1 record and their jump from 5th to 2nd in the Eastern Conference standings. The Pacers now sit at 16-10 and still are on pace for a 51-31 record for the season.
X-Factor of the Week:
Jordan Hill is deserving of some recognition due to his production and consistency. With a double double in three of the four games, he averaged 12.5 points and 11 rebounds per game off the bench. Without his energy, the Pacers may have lost 3 of 4 for the week. If he can continue to contribute off the bench, the Pacers will definitely reach 50 wins for the season.
The Week Ahead:
The Pacers have a three game week with 2 of 3 on the road. They first travel to Texas to play against the San Antonio Spurs, on Monday, December 21st. They travel home to host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, December 23rd before finishing the week on the road on Saturday, December 26th against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Prediction:
The toughest test of the week is against the Spurs, who bring a former teammate in David West, so the Pacers will have plenty to prove. The Spurs are undefeated at home and pose plenty of problems due to their depth, experience, and star power from Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kawhi Leonard, and Tim Duncan. The Pacers will have to execute at a near perfect level on both sides of the court and will do just that in Texas. The speed of the Pacers spread lineup will be hard for the Spurs to contain as the Warriors have defeated the Spurs with a similar lineup. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard will be a great matchup and will match each other point for point. If the Pacers frontcourt can contain Aldridge and keep him under 20 points, they will put themselves in great position for the victory. C.J. Miles will have a great rebound game and the Pacers will win a close game.
The Pacers only home game will be a difficult one as the Kings have been improved of late but still struggle on the defensive end. If the Pacers can hold the Kings under 100 points, the Pacers will win the game in comfortable fashion with their aggressive defense. The final game of the week in Minnesota against the Timberwolves will be lopsided game and will be dependent if the Pacers bring the right energy. The Timberwolves are a young team full of energy, but if that energy is met early, then the team can be put away early.
Final Prediction:
3-0 for the week, and the Pacers will make at least 10 threes in every game this week.