8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Three factors that have propelled the Indiana Pacers this season

By Clay Maxfield

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 4: The Indiana Pacers huddle up during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 4, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- DECEMBER 4: The Indiana Pacers huddle up during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 4, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Indiana Pacers
Justin Holiday, Indiana Pacers (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Blue and Gold’s bench

Indiana’s offense has been bolstered by a second unit that has provided them with spark after spark.

Averaging nearly 32 points per game, the Pacers’ bench has been a catalyst.

The second unit has helped the Pacers be marked 12th in the league in offensive point production.

An increased pace of play from T.J. McConnell or an offensive jumpstart from Doug McDermott has head coach, Nate McMillan feeling confident when having to lean on the bench.

With the return of Edmond Sumner from injury, the decisions got tougher for McMillan which has lead players like TJ Leaf (4 ppg, 4 rpg) founding their way out of the rotation.

Sumner who was reactivated on December 9th after a broken hand had found success at the start of the season and showed promise for the Pacers brass while averaging 5 ppg.

Sumner would even make appearances in the starting lineup due to other injuries on the roster.

The duo of the Holiday brothers has been yet another silver lining for the Pacers as they have combined for an average of 17.1 points per game together.

The combination has shared the spotlight for numerous big plays this season.

For example, against the Celtics, the Holiday’s combined for 35 points off the bench which was highlighted by the second-year guard, Aaron Holiday’s 8-9 shooting.

Justin Holiday, brother of Aaron, praised his sibling for his continual tenacity while also calling attention to games like the one against the Celtics as learning lessons for him as well.

"What Aaron has to do is be aggressive,” Justin said. “That’s the main thing I always want him to do. He’ll learn. When you get in the fire you learn, and he can handle the fire.”"

The real highlight of the Pacers bench in the first quarter of the season has been McDermott who has been averaging 50% shooting from the field in the last 10 games while also shooting 48% from beyond the arc.

An average of 9.6 ppg for McDermott has made him quite the offensive weapon for the Pacers coming off of screens while scoring nearly 53% of the time coming off of screens.

That places McDermott in the top 15 of the NBA with Dallas Maverick’s, Justin Jackson leading the way with 71.4%.

Next. Pacers: Myles Turner and his roller coaster of inconsistency. dark

The Pacers bench has production at every position and will continue to be a key reason why the team will have a successful remainder of the season.

Home/Pacers News