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The Bad – Pacers lose Myles Turner for at least two games

Murphy’s law says “things will go wrong in any given situation, if you give them a chance,” or more commonly known as, “whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.” After looking like a completely different player during the Pacers five-game losing streak, Myles Turner got it going again over the last two games.

Turner was averaging a measly 9.8 points and 4.4 rebounds and had a hard time guarding the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, John Henson and Robin Lopez during that stretch of games in which the Pacers were dominated nearly every night out, but over the last two, he’s bounced back quite nicely.

Turner put up 13 and 5 in the win against the Bulls on Saturday and followed that up with a 15 and 6 performance against Milwaukee on Monday night, including a nasty big man slam.

Unfortunately for both Turner and the Pacers, the aforementioned dunk has since been determined as the play that caused the injury that will keep Turner out for the next two games (at least.)

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Turner’s strong rim protecting was greatly missed during the Pacers 114-106 loss on Wednesday night, as the Heat big men combined for 42 points and 20 rebounds and the entire team combined for 40 points in the paint.

While Turner’s play has been up-and-down over the last few weeks, his ability to protect the rim and intimidate opposing offenses is undeniable.

As for the matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Turner would’ve presented a matchup problem for stretch four Kevin Love who has started at center for most of the season, and Tristan Thompson who struggles to guard a big man who stretches the defense out of the post.

The Pacers will need more big performances from backup bigs Domantas Sabonis and T.J. Leaf in the absence of Myles Turner. Also expect to see veteran Al Jefferson, and/or second-round pick Ike Anigbogu get extending playing time while Turner is out.