Indiana Pacers Get their First Win of the Preseason
It’s just one win, but it’s a win, and a solid win at that. Fans were definitely getting concerned over the effort of this Pacers team as they’re fighting through a tough preseason schedule. But looking over the past two games, I believe you have some good things to look at, and you can see some signs of what this team is going to be all about.
In a game against Chicago on Friday night, the Pacers shot almost 45%, which is definitely right where they need to be if they want that offensive side to come around. They even hit for 7 three pointers, but still can’t hold down Derrick Rose as he poured in 32 points. Paul George tried to hold his own with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. If George can get those numbers on a nightly basis, he’ll definitely prove his worth to the team, if he hasn’t already. They won the rebound battle, something that Pacers did well last season, and need to do again this season. 16 turnovers is a bit high, so that needs to come down, which it did slightly in the game last night against Cleveland.
Last night’s effort saw the Pacers turn the ball over 13 times, which is probably a good number to make sure that you’re below. Double figure turnovers are probably the norm anyways, but if the Pacers stay in that 10-15 range, I’d be okay with that. It’s those nights when they just seem to turn the ball over 20some times, that you get concerned, especially when they’re are many good passers on the team. I don’t know what the answer is to that problem, but just overcoming it is the solution.
Other things to be happy with last night’s win are the points in the third and fourth quarter, which was 33 for each quarter. That’s quite the number that this Pacers team can put up in a quarter. I think getting to that 30 point mark in a quarter would be a sign that things will be fine with this team. Then you look at the defensive effort, and the Cavs only score 14 points in that final quarter, things should be fine for this Pacers team if they’re only allowing that many points. That’s a great defensive effort when you can hold the other team to numbers like that. It’s going to take that type of effort to be strong in the regular season. If the Pacers can do that to teams consistently, the defensive side of things will be fine as well.
It’s good to get that first win, but even better to start playing like this Pacers team should. Maybe this is the win to get things moving in that best direction. Moving the ball around, scoring points, locking down on the defensive side, that’s how this Pacers team will win games. It’s an easy solution, time to just start playing it out.