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

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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Myles Turner & T.J. Warren, Indiana Pacers (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). /

2. Second Chance Points

This one is a bit of a head scratcher. The Pacers have the tandem of one of the league’s best rebounders and one of the league’s best shot blockers, there shouldn’t be a lot of good second opportunities. Yet here we are.

One of the key reasons for this is how Indiana looks from a rebounding standpoint outside Domantas Sabonis. No other Pacer averages even six boards per game. There is also no two-man combination on the roster that combines to equal Sabonis’ 13.1 rebounds per game. Actually, none are even close (the highest possible total is 10.3).

Sabonis’ gaudy rebounding numbers now look to, at least partly, be because of the rest of the rosters ineptitude. Few teams in the association are able to be both successful and give up a healthy amount of second chance points. The list of teams in the bottom-10 of second chance points allowed with a winning record? The Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors. That’s it.

This problem could be fixed with just a little philosophical shift. The Pacers already play at a slower pace, they should look to team rebound more. Few teams send more than one man inside for offensive rebounds and with the influx of 3-point shots, more rebounds are going long. Having the wings and guards stay home a little more rather than leak out could lead to less long rebounds ending up in opponents hands.

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