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8p9s Roundtable: Concerns for the Indiana Pacers at the Halfway Point

By Ben Gibson

Jan 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fans and guard C.J. Miles (0) reacts after Miles made a three pointer against the Milwaukee Bucks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Milwaukee defeats Indiana 120-116. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fans and guard C.J. Miles (0) reacts after Miles made a three pointer against the Milwaukee Bucks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Milwaukee defeats Indiana 120-116. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pacers were 2nd in the league in 3-point shooting to start the year. they are now 12th. Can they get back in the top 10 or was the start of the season an anomaly?

Wade: Yes. It was definitely an anomaly to be second. Both Georges and C.J. were hitting from deep at an unsustainable level. But it’s swung a bit further than expected the other way now, with C.J., in particular, and Paul George hitting a slump. With Miles, it just looks like the injury messed up his rhythm some while PG’s issue seems to be shot selection. I expect both to improve post-All-Star and Indy to finish (just barely) in the top 10.

Furr: I believe they can get back into the top 10, but I don’t see them getting all the way back up to 2nd. Paul George and C.J. Miles were throwing fireballs to start the year, and both can be streaky. Monta Ellis and Rodney Stuckey are not going to prop up your three point shooting, and Chase Budinger has gone cold, so it all depends on PG and CJ.

Donahue: They can shoot better than they are now, but second in the league is probably an anomaly. The Pacers don’t really have any knockdown three-point shooters. Paul George, George Hill, and C.J. Miles are all above average, but it drops off quickly after that.

Barth: The shot clock is contributing quite a bit to the decline of the 3-point shooting performance. There have been several bad shots from behind the arc to avoid the shot clock violation. When the high screen comes at the top of the key with 3 or 4 seconds left it’s simply too late and awful shots get hoisted. Budinger, Miles and PG have all regressed significantly from long range the the last month and can’t seem to right the ship.

Washburn: I expect them to finish in the top 10, but I think 2nd was a bit of a pipe dream. CJ Miles, rather than imitating Will Ferrell in Old School, will eventually start streaking in the good way again. George Hill and Paul George are very good outside shooters. And the Monta Ellis/Rodney Stuckey duo can still be expected to make one or two a game (between them).

Next: Any fear of missing the playoffs?

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