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Three Ways for the Indiana Pacers to Improve in the New Year

By Colton Bennett

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) /
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Indiana Pacers
Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Indiana Pacers had a good two months of the season, but there are still improvements that court help their final place in the standings.

3. Free Throw Attempts

The Indiana Pacers rank dead last this season in free throw attempts per game. This is a lesser problem than many teams have, but when you are a solid team you are forced to pick nits. The math here is simple: more free throws means more easy points and opposing players getting into foul trouble.

There are currently six teams that make more free throws per game than the Pacers shoot. That sort of difference can totally change the tide of a game. It doesn’t matter if Indiana is one of the best teams by percentage if the other team ends up shooting 10 more times from the line.

Aggressiveness plays a role in the low numbers. There have been several times this season where Malcolm Brogdon starts games looking to get downhill, but then blends in to the background the rest of the game. Looking to drive a little more often throughout games would be even more beneficial with how automatic Brogdon is from the line.

Jeremy Lamb and T.J. Warren are two others that need to look to get to the line more often moving forward. Both wings have shown they can create their own looks and be tough shot-makers. Although with all the physical play and tough baskets they’ve earned this season, they only shoot 3.1 and 2.9 free throws per game respectively.

That puts them both behind the likes of Ricky Rubio and Cody Zeller. They can absolutely do better.

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