What We Learned About the Indiana Pacers: Week 5
By William Furr
Week 5 has come and gone, and it was another .500 week for the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers kicked off the week beating the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, 111-100, winning all four quarters en route to an impressive victory. Donald Sloan went Don Corleone on the Mavs, torching Jameer Nelson and Monta Ellis on his way to 29 points.
They then lost the second half of their Texas two-step to the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio 106-100. The Pacers were up 5 points at the breakbut lost the last two quarters as the Spurs ratcheted up the pressure on defense.
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The Pacers followed the loss by beating the Orlando Magic at home, 98-83. Rodney Stuckey led the way with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting, but the highlight of the night was the return of David West and C.J. Watson. Both had productive returns; West started and scored 18 points on 8-of-17 shooting in 24 minutes, and Watson scored 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting with 4 assists in 18 minutes. There were signs of rust from both, but their returns were both encouraging.
The Pacers ended their week with an ugly loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers that looked closer than it actually was; the good guys played close for a half, but they were blown out of the building in the third quarter, and the bulk of the fourth was all garbage time.
Week 5 was a busy one, so let’s take a look at we learned.
There’s Actually a Light at the End of the Injury Tunnel
David West and C.J. Watson returned this week. Roy Hibbert is day-to-day with a sprained ankle and should be back in the lineup shortly. George Hill’s knee contusion was clarified to be a torn quad, explaining his prolonged absence, but even he is expected back in mid-December. The Pacers could be at full (minus Paul George) strength and working the rust off before Christmas.
Given what we’ve seen from this Pacers squad that has been massively undermanned and relying on former third and fourth stringers as first options, it’s reasonable to hope; the rag-tag crew has a 7-10 record after a 1-5 start and will continue to receive infusions of talent throughout the next few weeks. The Pacers are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference and should have the chance to move up a bit once they get their starters back and rotations worked out.
David West Is Still the Mid-Range Assassin
It’s only two games into David West’s season, but he’s putting up 16 points per game, and nearly half (45.5%) of his field goal attempts have been long twos (beyond 16 feet). West is shooting an identical 45.5% from the floor already after shooting 48.8% last year; it’s reasonable to hope that shooting number will climb a bit as West shakes off the rust.
Lavoy Allen Is a Quality Big Man
We’ve written about Lavoy Allen multiple times in this space before, but there’s more to be said.
Allen trails only per-minute wunderkid Shayne Whittington (who’s only played 36 minute total this year) in rebound percentage amongst Pacers at 19.9%. He’s second on the team in PER among players with more than 48 minutes on the year, trailing Roy Hibbert. He’s second on the team in block percentage, again behind Roy Hibbert. He’s second on the team (again, amongst players with over 48 minutes this season) in field-goal percentage, behind Ian Mahinmi.
Allen is a good player, and it’s hard to imagine not seeing him even once Hibbert and David West are starting together.
Rodney Stuckey Has Returned to Earth …
Rodney Stuckey has returned to Earth, but he can certainly be a useful player for the Indiana Pacers this year. After a blistering start, Stuckey has returned to a closer version of the player he’s typically been; his FG% (41%), 3-point shooting (33%), and PER (17.8) have all come down since he returned from injury the last time, and Pacers fans are getting acquainted with his tendency to stop the ball.
However, the Pacers succeeded with a similar type player in Lance Stephenson last year, and Stuckey will not be relied upon as heavily as Lance was. It’s very possible Stuckey can provide the Pacers with an instant-offense option for when the team bogs down, and the team can move away from him on nights when he doesn’t have “it” going.
The Grass Isn’t Always Greener on the Other Side
Sorry, Lance. Here’s hoping things get better in Charlotte for you (but not at the Pacers expense, of course).
The Indiana Pacers Week Ahead
Games: at Phoenix, at Portland, at Sacramento
Prediction: The Pacers go 1-2, losing to Phoenix and Portland but wrapping up their road trip with a win at upstart Sacramento.
Last Week’s Prediction Results: 3-1
Season Long Prediction Results: 7-7
What to Watch For: David West and C.J. Watson shaking the rust off and providing some much-needed reliability… The return of Roy Hibbert and the Pacers front-line depth… A Suns rematch in the desert… The Pacers getting back to the ground-and-pound offense that dominated the team before the rise of Paul George and Lance Stephenson… Ian Mahinmi putting up DeAndre Jordan-type shooting numbers (62% from the field, 33% from the free-throw line) and bordering into “unplayable in the fourth quarter of close games” territory, despite his mobility and defense… Chris Copeland fighting for minutes once the cavalry finishes arriving… Donald Sloan doing the same against bigger odds… DAMO!! Out of the rotation, but not our hearts… C.J. Miles carrying a positive PER and playing better, despite his continued shooting woes… Lavoy Allen, the tip-in master, inspiring other Pacers to rebound harder… David West and Lavoy Allen executing gorgeous high-low passing in the post, showing ball movement foreign to the Pacers lineup… Three difficult road matchups against winning teams this week, testing the Pacers mettle