ORLANDO, FL -- Prior to the NBA All-Star Break, the Indiana Pacers held an 8-11 record in games decided by 5-points or less. It seemed that the Pacers were practically crafting ways to lose close games down the stretch. Whether it was blowing double-digit leads in the fourth quarter, not being able to quite finish off a rallying comeback, or by simply not coming out on top in a game of trading baskets, the Pacers just never managed to consistently execute in late game situations. Indiana's recent stretch of quality late game execution has given reason to believe that the Pacers could have possibly discovered how to close out games.
Following their 105-102 road win over the Orlando Magic, the Pacers have now won two consecutive games by 3-points. Their previous 3-point victory was the game prior in Chesapeake Energy Arena. In that game, the Pacers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder by a score of 101-98. Both of these games have given plenty of reason to believe that the Pacers could have possibly taken the next step as a team. This possible leap has shown in the standings as well. At the beginning of the February, the Pacers hovered around the eighth seed in the East. Now, the team has the opportunity to be the fourth seed with a win over the Miami Heat tonight.
The numbers suggest that the main way that Indiana could take the next step as a team would be by improving their late game execution. It appears that starting rookie Myles Turner at power forward has given the Pacers a fantastic relief option in late game scenarios. Turner's presence on both sides of the floor has really given Indiana not only a clutch time boost, but an overall boost as well. The Pacers are 7-3 since promoting Turner to the starting lineup, and hold a 4-1 record in games decided by 5-points or less. This goes to show that the Pacers have not only found overall success, but they have finally found a way to formulate a closing group that can effectively execute.