Indiana Pacers: 3 Things learned from six-game losing streak

The Indiana Pacers ended its six-game losing streak against the Bucks on Wednesday night. As a result, there were several things learned from the team’s losing skid.

The Indiana Pacers finally picked up a win last night against the Milwaukee Bucks after losing six straight. Five of those losses would be in the confines of Bankers Life Fieldhouse, alarming for both the team and its fans.

Even though the Pacers would lose to each of the six teams by 10 points or less, the lack of poise down the stretch brought attention to some of the team’s flaws.

The losing streak exposed the Pacers’ shortcomings and allowed a comprehensive look as to how much more growth the team needs to undergo.

What is encouraging is that the flaws are correctable, especially as the Pacers are continuing to find their identity with the slew of changes.

With Victor Oladipo being integrated back into the rotation, the team has been experiencing growing pains which were evident in the six-game skid.

Despite the losses, the Pacers and fans learned a lot about this season’s team.

The win against the Bucks, even without the services of Giannis Antetokounmpo, was important to showcase what the Pacers can do when clicking on all cylinders.

Now, with the all-star break here, it offers the team a much-needed time to regroup. Thankfully, the best is yet to come for the Indiana Pacers.

Here are three things learned during the Pacers’ six-game losing streak:

Team chemistry has been reset

With the myriad of changes throughout the season, it was expected for things to gradually take shape once Oladipo was integrated back into the rotation.

However, many didn’t expect that process to include an abundance of losses, especially in games where the Pacers held the upper hand until closing moments.

With a budding roster, it is evident that team chemistry has been reset.

The Pacers’ second unit has been the most consistent portion of the roster and that was solidified by strong performances by Doug McDermott and Justin Holiday despite the six consecutive losses.

But the starting lineup took the biggest hit.

Getting Oladipo back into the swing of things impacted the entire rotation. With his retooled role as point guard, Malcolm Brogdon struggled to find his footing during the six-game stretch before capping things off with a solid night against his former team, the Bucks.

As the orchestrator of the team’s offense, Brogdon’s shakiness through the six-game stretch was a clear indication that the team’s chemistry is starting a rebuild.

Brogdon and Oladipo are learning to play with one another which is a process.

T.J. Warren missing three games during the skid also created more confusion. The offense was unable to find its shot caller and leader down the stretch as Oladipo struggled to shoot efficiently. This left the Pacers unable to find a saving grace.

The contest against the Bucks proved that the Pacers are trending in the right direction and that patience is needed with this group. Rebuilding team chemistry doesn’t happen overnight.

Hopefully, the team will sustain success after the all-star break as they attempt to climb the Eastern Conference ladder.

Too many second-chance points for opponents

For those who watched the six games that the Pacers lost, it’s glaring that the issue of giving opponents second-chance points needs to be fixed.

The Pacers aren’t a team that lacks size or athleticism so the fact that opponents can give themselves second-chance points is alarming.

Yes, the team is in search of its rhythm but that shouldn’t impact the effort that is needed to thwart the threat of second-chance points.

A major component of this issue is rebounding and the inability of the Pacers’ guards to box out and crash the boards.

So far this season, Domantas Sabonis has been reliable on the boards, but the all-star can’t do it all by himself. That is something the rest of the roster should take into account, even Myles Turner who has been somewhat pedestrian when it comes to rebounding.

A sense of urgency is needed and should be emphasized by the Pacers coaching staff.

There have been several instances where opponents have been able to snag offensive rebounds over a paint filled with Pacers.

That is unacceptable for an organization that prides itself on defense and effort. The all-star break should give the team the ability to recharge and reflect.

In order for this team to reach its goals, second-chance points will have to be a thing of the past.

Pacers frontcourt leads the team

The Pacers frontcourt is fueling this season’s team. With the combination of Sabonis and Turner, many opponents have struggled to defend the group for a complete four quarters, especially as Sabonis’ game has become more well-rounded over the past two months.

Sabonis has emerged as a threat to earn a triple-double, which in return has improved the play of his teammates. The same can be said for Myles Turner whose defense has allowed his teammates to flourish and has also bailed them out after breakdowns defensively.

Even though Warren and Brogdon have been the team’s firepower on offense. The frontcourt of the Pacers’ impact can be felt on all levels, even with plays that don’t show up on that the stat sheet.

The frontcourt will continue to be the foundation of the Pacers until the team’s chemistry starts to blossom. Until then, expect Sabonis and Turner to continue to lead the team as an unorthodox pairing.

Hopefully, for the Pacers, the six-game losing streak will be a silver lining. The Pacers are far from an average team and have the potential to turn heads as the season moves forward.

If the team can string everything together, the sky is the limit. With Oladipo’s explosion gradually returning and a rotation that is finding its identity, expect for the Pacers to put the six-game skid behind them and wreak havoc the rest of the season.