8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

5 Reasons the Pacers Can Make Playoffs

By Adam Lukach

Oct 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) goes pasts Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Memphis won the game, 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) goes pasts Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) in the second half of their game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Memphis won the game, 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Oct 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) looks to play a ball as Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) tries to defend during the second quarter in a game at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) looks to play a ball as Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) tries to defend during the second quarter in a game at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Paul George Is Back

Is there a bigger reason that this one? Don’t worry that it could technically fall under reason number one––PG deserves his own category.

As everyone knows, he looked great during preseason, and although his jumpshot has been shaky through two games, almost every other tool has looked sharp. PG has been driving and finishing or kicking effectively, hitting the boards hard, and getting back to his elite form on defense.

Though the shooting may worry some, it shouldn’t. Through two games, Paul George has mad just 2-for-15 of his “unguarded” field goal attempts, per SportVU, so that is clearly an aberration that will not continue. He’s a good shooter. He’s just pressing a bit perhaps or simply catching some bad luck. If his open shot success was even average — say, 7-for-15 — he would be shooting 43.8% on the year and we wouldn’t notice anything but his 17.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Despite the shooting woes and a few ugly turnovers (which is what he does), he is leading the team in rebounding while averaging a double double.

It seems like only a matter of time before he gets his legs fully back under him and finds a real rhythm on offense. He’s already had a couple of highlight finishes at the rim, he has created several layups for Ian Mahimi with drive-and-dumps, and it’s simply been nice to see him back out there playing well.

Next: 4. New Offense

Home/Pacers News