Ian Mahinmi to Play and Start in Game 4

Though dealing with a sore back, Ian Mahinmi will play in a must-win Game 4.

It’s official: Ian Mahinmi, though once again questionable leading up to the game with a sore back, will play in Game 4.

He has been limited all series while dealing with injury-related mobility, quickness, and reaction-time issues. But obviously he is one of two guys on the roster, in addition to rookie Myles Turner, with the size to really handle Jonas Valanciunas around the rim. So having him available is a big plus for the Pacers chances to even up this series and not fall into what would be an insurmountable 3-1 hole.

Now the question turns to whether or not he will start.

Frank Vogel went with a lineup of George Hill, Monta Ellis, Paul George, Myles Turner, and Ian Mahinmi to start the second half of Game 3. The change from the starting linep was Turner in place of Lavoy Allen. So it stands to reason that we may see this unit to open Game 4.

That would be fine. Myles being on the floor at tip off is the only absolutely-must-happen adjustment for Vogel today. So any center/power forward pairing of Mahinmi/Myles, Myles/C.J. Miles, or Myles/Solomon Hill seems fine. Even Myles/Jordan Hill could work.

Just no more Lavoy Allen, Frank. He’s bringing nothing in terms of offensive rebounding (his one real skill), defensive rebounding help, scoring, spacing, or cutting. Every other option adds something.

And more than anything, keeping Jonas in check early will, once again, be the key to the game. That starts with keeping Toronto’s All-Star guards out of the paint, but also means either Mahinmi or Myles must be physical, active, and in the right spots.

So if Ian starts and Vogel sees that he isn’t able to do these things, he must quickly make a change. We’ve already seen in this series how quickly the Raptors can turn a 6-point lead into 14. Frank cannot let that happen if an injured man is try to do a job he isn’t fit for.

Mahinmi did look better, in a mobility and quickness sense, in Game 3 than he did in Game 2. And sleeping in his own bed back in Indiana likely helped that. But he is also only working with a day and a half rest this time instead of two and a half. The afternoon start also can’t help considering how accustomed players are to their daily routines to prepare for a game.

But we will see. The bottom line is that the Pacers chances in this game — and series — fall sharply if Ian isn’t able to perform. He is one of the most underrated defensive players in the league and has arguably been Indiana’s most consistent player all year. He has been vital to this team’s interior presence all season, and they will have a hard time replacing that.

UPDATE: Myles Turner to start at the 4 spot, which means Ian will be in there at the 5.