2 Studs, 1 dud from Indiana Pacers bounce-back win over Charlotte Hornets
By Jack Simone
Dud - Obi Toppin
First and foremost, it’s important to clarify that there weren’t any true duds in this game, as the Indiana Pacers absolutely blew the doors off the Charlotte Hornets.
That said, Obi Toppin will get the selection for this spot, as he had a rough shooting night and just can’t seem to find any semblance of consistency from behind the three-point line.
Obviously, Toppin is an elite rim-running threat, as evidenced by his big-time lob in tandem with Tyrese Haliburton in this game, but his shooting just isn’t there for him.
Toppin ended the night with six points and four rebounds while shooting just 2-of-5 from the field and 0-of-3 from beyond the three-point arc. That said, he was a +25 on the night.
In addition to his lackluster three-point shooting, Toppin’s defense continues to be a question mark, and while it wasn’t quite as present throughout this game, it’s still a glaring concern.
With the Pacers looking to compete for a playoff spot, Toppin’s limitations on both sides of the ball may soon outweigh the positives he brings to the table.
It’s been an okay season for Toppin (at least offensively), but it may be time for head coach Rick Carlisle to test out a different option in the starting lineup.