8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

3 lessons learned from Game 1 of the Pacers as they head into Game 2

By Ben Gibson

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 14: Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics, left, defends against Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on April 14, 2019. (Staff Photo By Christopher Evans/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 14: Aron Baynes #46 of the Boston Celtics, left, defends against Domantas Sabonis #11 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on April 14, 2019. (Staff Photo By Christopher Evans/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images) /
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Aaron Holiday #3 of the Indiana Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 05: Aaron Holiday #3 of the Indiana Pacers leads a fast break against the Boston Celtics in the first half of a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 5, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Don’t be afraid to take risks — even if the numbers say no

When all else fails, deploy Aaron Holiday.

The Pacers are playing without their best player and not expected to escape the first round. With that in mind, they shouldn’t be afraid of failure.

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

Not in the sense, they should accept their fate, but that Indiana shouldn’t be afraid to go down in a blaze of glory.

During the third quarter, in particular, Sunday they could have used a spark. Why not see if their rookie guard was blissfully unaware of the mounting pressure in the game? Nothing else worked so why not take the risk?

Holiday’s irrational confidence is one reason he has impressed so far in his rookie season. He’s never afraid to shoot or drive to the basket and I don’t think the magnitude of a playoff game would affect him.

Holiday isn’t the answer, rationally speaking.  In the two games, he was on the floor against the Celtics he only scored 15 points in 30 minutes. He shot 40 percent from the field but his 2 for 5 performance from beyond the arc was fine enough.

His one shot in garbage time of Game 1 shouldn’t be taken into account. Nice for his confidence, but it was next to meaningless.

But when no one else can get anything done, taking a gamble on a Holiday hot streak is worthwhile.

Even if it isn’t Holiday, coach Nate McMillan and the Pacers can’t react to the Celtics all the time. They shouldn’t be afraid of experimenting a little they hit another cold spot during Game 2. Throw in Edmond Sumner and Alize Johnson for a minute, it couldn’t be worse that what was already happening in the third quarter.

Next. 8 points, 1 quarter. dark

David didn’t have a conservative game plan against Goliath. Neither should the Pacer

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