3 takeaways from the Indiana Pacers opening night win

By Tony East | Oct 18, 2018

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 17: Kyle Anderson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 17, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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Bojan Bogdanovic Mike Conley Indiana Pacers Memphis Grizzlies

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 17: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on October 17, 2018, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

The Indiana Pacers defense could be top-5 in the league

Last season, the Indiana Pacers finished the season with the 13th best defense in the league, allowing 108.1 points per 100 possessions.

This season, I think it’s clear the Pacers defense will be better, and it could even get to top-5 levels. Domantas Sabonis, albeit in just one game, looked way more comfortable defending the basket. A now yoga’d up Myles Turner looked spry defending the paint. All of the usual suspects had solid defensive games, and even Doug McDermott and Bojan Bogdanovic looked okay on that end of the floor. It was a masterful team performance.

Just look at how preventative the team was at allowing easy baskets:

Here’s the Grizzlies shot chart from last night (courtesy of @bballport). Look at all that blue around the rim, great interior D from the Pacer bigs: pic.twitter.com/nj53cdbZVl
— Tony East (@TonyREast) October 18, 2018

If that is a pattern that the team can keep up each and every game, I would be shocked if they aren’t at least a top-10 defense, and possibly top-5. Opening night was a statement on that end of the floor.

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