The Indiana Pacers Are Finding New Ways to Win

The Indiana Pacers pitched a perfect week in week 15, albeit through only two games.

The Pacers haven’t had many undefeated weeks, nor have they had many win streaks this year (even modest ones), so two wins in a row, one against a playoff team with the world’s best player (Cleveland Cavaliers) and one against a team currently just ahead of them in the standings (Detroit Pistons) counts as a victorious week indeed.

Let’s take a look at what we learned about the Indiana Pacers in week 15.

The Pacers Rebounding Edge Has Disappeared

The Indiana Pacers, even during this down year, have had a consistent factor in winning ballgames; they rebound.

They rebound on defense, they rebound on offense, they rebound during timeouts, they rebound before/during/after games, and they rebound when fishing.

This Pacers team has consistently punished opponents on the glass with their length and defensive fundamentals, and have typically outrebounded teams handily when winning. But the Pacers are currently missing two of their better rebounders, Lavoy Allen and Ian Mahinmi. So the fact that they beat the Cavs while losing the rebounding battle (43-41) and the Pistons’ family-sized front line while narrowing winning the rebounding battle (37-35) is a positive sign. This team is finding ways to win outside of their norm.

Good teams — playoff teams — have to find ways to win games outside of their comfort level; this is not yet a “good” Pacers team, but it’s encouraging to watch the team fight and claw to non-conventional victories.

The Big Fella Came to Play

Roy Hibbert has always been inconsistent on the offensive end — and occasionally on D as well). This season has been no different.

Hibbert has struggled off and on offensively this year, and his numbers could definitely be better given his size and skill set. The Pacers were expecting a bit more than his 11.3 points per game and 46% shooting in a year where he’s been the healthiest cog from the successful Pacers teams of the past. But he has gone back and forth between an ambidextrous hook shot shooting machine and a brick-laying construction foreman.

Last week was a solid week for the Big Fella, however.

Hibbert put up 13 points per game last week on 56.5% shooting with 10 rebounds per night. He threw in 4 total blocks and 3 assists for good measure.

Hibbert will never be a 20/10 guy on a nightly basis, but 13/10 on 50% shooting would do wonders for the team’s struggling offense if he can keep it up.

The Hometown Hero is Doing Good Things

The Indiana Pacers have missed George Hill. During the team’s late-season collapse last year, Hill was a convenient scapegoat. He lacked aggressiveness on offense and generally seemed to play without a purpose.

That George Hill may one day return — but that day did not come last week.

Hill has been significantly more aggressive while on the court his year than at any point of his Pacers’ tenure that I can remember.

Hill scored 20 points in both games last week, a welcome sight for a team that needs his offense. Against the Cavs, he put up 20 on only 3-of-8 shooting, getting the line 15 times (and hitting 12, for 80%) while dishing out 7 assists. Against the Pistons, Hill abused D.J. Augustin in the post and shot 8-of-12 from the field with 6 assists and only 1 turnover. He did struggle from the line, going 3-of-8, but had an impressive game all around.

For the week, he finished with 13 assists, 5 turnovers, shot 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, had 2 blocked shots, and finished +8 in the +/- category.

For those keeping track, the Pacers won their 2 games this week by a total of 9 points.

Sugar Shayne Has Arrived

With Ian Mahinmi and Lavoy Allen both on the shelf with injuries, the Pacers big-man rotation has been shorted, forcing rookie Shayne Whittington into real NBA minutes against good teams in non-garbage time.

Sugar Shayne played 14 minutes last week, shooting a combined 3-of-4 from the field, 2-of-2 from the line, and finished -6 in +/-. -6 isn’t a great number by any means, but for a rookie playing his first real NBA action against the likes of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, Whittington played admirably.

Welcome to the NBA, Sugar Shayne!

The Indiana Pacers Week Ahead

Games: at Charlotte (2/8), vs San Antonio (2/9), at New Orleans (2/11)

Prediction: The Indiana Pacers go 2-1, winning both their road games at Charlotte and New Orleans, and falling to San Antonio at home on the second night of a back to back

Last Week’s Prediction Results: 1-1

Season Long Prediction Results: 26-22

What to Watch For: George Hill, (who’s been playing very impressively but should, by the law of averages, have a sub par game or two coming), playing through the bad times as well as the good… The starting lineup in flux between C.J. Miles and Solomon Hill at the small forward spot… Luis Scola, quietly putting together an impressing season after an abysmal start… Ian Mahinmi and Lavoy Allen looking to return from injuries… C.J. Miles continuing his Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde routine, finishing +21 over over 50% shooting last week… David West, looking better and better now that George Hill is back… The Pacers, as a team, stifling the turnover bug (only 19 total last week)… The Pacers remembering that the orange ball is supposed to go through the metal cylinder more than 1/3 of the time (last week: shot 59.7% against Detroit and 46.8% against Cleveland)… Damo Rudez, looking like he officially owns Chris Copeland’s spot in the rotation…

Next: 5 Players for the Pacers Trade Deadline Wish List

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The Pacers Are Finding New Ways to Win

By William Furr | Feb 8, 2015