Even though they are without Myles Turner and were without Andrew Nembhard for most of the beginning weeks of the season, the Indiana Pacers still rank as an above-average defense.
A few weeks into the season, Indiana's 114 DRTG ranks as the 11th-best in the NBA currently, according to Basketball Reference. The Pacers have never been known as a defensive team under head coach Rick Carlisle, but they drastically turned things around at the turn of the calendar. And now, it is looking like one of their biggest strengths amid their down season.
Why the Pacers' defense is still succeeding (for the most part)
Indiana's defensive success is surprising for a few reasons, but the biggest has to be that it no longer has Turner on the roster. He was their defensive anchor and was among the best rim protectors in the league at his peak. Though he could be regressing defensively, he was still key to Indiana's success because of his paint presence and ability to block shots. Even without him, though, the Pacers are still fine defensively.
A lot of that can be attributed to Isaiah Jackson, who is beginning to come into his own as the Pacers' new starting center. He still uses his athleticism to his advantage despite being fresh off an Achilles injury, and he is continuing to play with a lot of energy. He is also a tremendous presence in the paint for these reasons, and he continues to make an impact defensively.
Additionally, the Pacers' defense still being solid is a shock considering that Nembhard missed seven consecutive games for the team after the season opener due to a shoulder injury. The Canadian native has established himself as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and he was important during Indiana's latest playoff run. Still, the Pacers' defense was decent without him (though they will certainly be happier now that he is back).
The Pacers still have some flaws defensively. They are allowing 52.6 points in the paint per game, which is the ninth-most in the league, according to NBA.com. Additionally, they rank in the bottom three in steals per game.
However, Indiana has continued to do what it always does: make life difficult for its opponents.
The Pacers are resilient and pesky. They make their opponents work for their points, and that is one of the reasons they are incredibly difficult for other teams to beat (well, maybe not this season). Even given their circumstances, this hasn't changed in Indiana.
Plus, the Pacers are among the best teams at defending the perimeter, and their versatility and switchability certainly help as well.
Indiana will never truly be a defensive-first team with Carlisle leading the way. Still, the fact that the Pacers are continuing to have success amid their struggles may be an encouraging sign for what's to come once the team gets healthy and finds its groove again.