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4 Indiana Pacers that have played their best season yet

By Zach Pearson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 5: Domantas Sabonis #11 and Doug McDermott #20 of the Indiana Pacers look on before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 5, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 5: Domantas Sabonis #11 and Doug McDermott #20 of the Indiana Pacers look on before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 5, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Doug McDermott, Indiana Pacers
Doug McDermott, Indiana Pacers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Doug McDermott

Doug McDermott has been outstanding this season, largely due to his ability to shoot from three, where he is fifth in the league in 3-point percentage, shooting 44 percent. This is a solid improvement from his last season with Indiana, where he shot 40 percent from deep. With this improvement, the way Doug is being utilized has changed from the previous season as well.

One of the main changes is head coach Nate McMillan will frequently run a screen-play up top, typically with Sabonis, that sets McDermott up for a shot nearly every time.

It terrifies teams and when he doesn’t have the open look off the screen, because of his ability to hit the three, there is usually a guy across court or cutting that can get an easy shot opportunity, like Justin Holiday who has also been shooting from deep at a high level.

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This new second unit has allowed for this style of play to work against many teams and has helped McDermott drastically.

Even when not running a set play for him, McDermott flashes his athleticism often while cutting to the basket, finishing tough layups, and even the occasional dunk that really gets the home crowd into the game. His ability to play without the ball has a huge impact on the second unit offense.

This has been perfect for this Pacers team, and him playing within his role on the second unit has made McDermott very effective this season.

He is averaging a career-high in points per game (10.4), a career-high in field goal percentage (49 percent) and is the team’s best shooter.

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