Indiana Pacers: Three things learned in first bout vs. Timberwolves

The Indiana Pacers faced the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. The Pacers earned a 104-99 win. The Pacers play the Timberwolves again tonight in Indianapolis. Here is what was learned in the first bout.

The Indiana Pacers traveled to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves in the Target Center on Wednesday night. In a hard-fought battle, the Pacers were able to squeeze out a 104-99 win.

Tonight, the Pacers take on the Timberwolves once again, this time in the confines of Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

In the first bout against Minnesota, there were several things the Pacers learned as the team heads into their second bout in three days against the Ryan Saunders lead Timberwolves.

Here are three things the Pacers learned in the first game versus the Timberwolves:

The Pacers have better point guard play

There’s no questioning that Malcolm Brogdon is one of the most consistent point guards in the NBA.

Despite battling injury throughout the first half of the season, when on the floor, Brogdon has showcased his ability to give the Pacers an edge. That was evident in the first contest against the Timberwolves.

In addition to Brogdon, backup options Aaron Holiday and T.J. McConnell also deserve praise. Even though Holiday had one of his worst performances of the season against Minnesota, McConnell picked up the slack and gave the Pacers great point guard play down the stretch.

The trio of Brogdon, Holiday, and McConnell should give the coaching staff and fans some confidence as the Pacers navigate a schedule that only gets tougher.

On the other hand, Minnesota’s point guard play has been average and that was evident against the Pacers. The holes of Minnesota’s guard play were so glaring that the organization made a trade a day after competing against Indiana.

The Timberwolves traded former Pacer and backup point guard Jeff Teague as well as Treveon Graham to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Allen Crabbe. This was an obvious move to improve the length and range of the point guard position for Minnesota.

Starting point guard Shabazz Napier struggled against the Pacers and his former college teammate Jeremy Lamb. Napier would finish with nine assists but would only have four points.

Napier has averaged 9.4 points and 4.3 assists so far this season.

Even though Napier’s responsibility is to distribute, in order for Minnesota to earn wins more scoring by the point guard position is needed.

The first game against Minnesota solidified that the Pacers’ point guard position is on the right track.

There’s no answer by Minnesota in the paint

There has been no answer for Domantas Sabonis so far this season in and that was no different against Minnesota.

Sabonis and Myles Turner set up shop in the paint against the Timberwolves and never looked back.

Sabonis was able to have a career night against the Timberwolves thanks to the ability to hold his own in the paint. The power forward would finish with 29 points, one point shy of tying a career-high.

Sabonis would also snag 13 rebounds and dish out six assists, a well-rebounded performance by the potential all-star. Sabonis attempted 17 field goals and finished13 of them, further evidence of an efficient night.

His efficiency was due to the ability to brush off defense by Minnesota’s Robert Covington and Gorgui Dieng.

Additionally, despite not having his most potent night offensively, Myles Turner also made his presence felt in the paint. Turner had multiple opportunities at the rim and finished strong on several occasions.

The combination of Sabonis and Turner gives defenses fits and Minnesota fell victim to the duo.

Pacers have a core that is solidified

Despite a flurry of lineup changes due to injury, the Pacers have been able to carve out a pretty solid core of contributors.

With Oladipo’s return on the horizon, things are bound to change but so far this season there have been reliable pieces each night for the Pacers.

Despite the speculation of trades, the Pacers have proven that the roster currently in place can do damage as the season moves forward.

On the other hand, Minnesota’s woes were so evident that the team made the Teague and Graham trade. Luckily for the Pacers, there is no sense of urgency in moving any pieces of the roster.

Wednesday’s performance against Minnesota was well-rounded.

The bench options in Doug McDermott, Justin Holiday and McConnell all proved their worth. The Pacers coaching staff has no problem turning to these pieces.

These options give the team a much-needed layer of depth, especially with the ongoing injuries. The Pacers’ front office did an excellent job this offseason and setting the team up for success and that is clear with the number of contributors the team can have on a given night.

Expect the Pacers to come out firing tonight against Minnesota as the team looks to gain an edge in the Eastern Conference. Getting another win against the Timberwolves sets the Pacers up well before a five-game west coast road trip that includes a back-to-back series that starts Sunday in Denver.