Streaky is a great word for the Indiana Pacers. At the start of the season, they were red-hot, and their run in the In-Season Tournament was just as impressive, but they’ve gone through some downs as well.
Right now, however, they’re on an upswing. The Pacers picked up their fourth win in a row on Monday night, taking down the Milwaukee Bucks - the second-best team in the East and a fast-forming rival.
Giannis Antetokounmpo put up a triple-double, but the Pacers were able to contain Damian Lillard, who shot just 3-of-16 from the floor and 1-of-9 from deep.
Indiana’s bench led the way in this one, so let’s take a look at the studs and dud from the Pacers’ 122-113 win over the Bucks.
Stud - TJ McConnell
With Tyrese Haliburton leading the charge, it’s not every game that another point guard gets a chance to show out and help lead the way for the Pacers. In this one, McConnell did just that.
The veteran point guard played a huge role for the Pacers against the Bucks on Monday night, filling up the stat sheet and helping the Pacers overcome a deficit of 15 points.
McConnell finished the game with 16 points, four rebounds, and nine assists while shooting 5-of-9 from the field and 0-of-1 from behind the three-point line.
He ended the night with a +31, which was the second-best mark on the team behind just Obi Toppin, who was a +35 against the Bucks. Both players made a huge mark off the pine for Indiana.
Dud - Jalen Smith
The Indiana Pacers made a starting lineup switch not long ago, and Jalen Smith was one of the guys who got inserted into the new-look starting unit.
A hot start to the season was cut short for Smith, who missed nine games from November 30 to December 18, and on December 26, he was handed a starting job next to Myles Turner in the frontcourt.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t as effective as he normally is in the Pacers’ win over the Milwaukee Bucks, as the starting lineup was effectively carried by the bench unit for most of the night.
Smith ended the game with seven points and two rebounds while shooting just 3-of-10 from the floor and 1-of-6 from behind the three-point line.
He only ended up playing 11:30, giving way to the bench unit, who stepped up in a big way. Isaiah Jackson and Obi Toppin popped off, putting up some great numbers.
Aaron Nesmith also had a shot at landing in the dud spot, as he shot just 1-of-10 from the floor and 1-of-7 from deep, but he had three steals and two blocks, so Smith just edges him out.
The Pacers’ new-look starting lineup has worked thus far, but Monday night was not its best look.
Stud - Bennedict Mathurin
Before the Indiana Pacers made their latest starting lineup change, they moved Bennedict Mathurin out of the starting five, as he was handed the keys to a starting wing spot to begin the year.
Unfortunately, Mathurin’s inconsistencies shined through, as he was unable to put together regular efficient performances, and on the defensive end, he was quite living up to par.
On Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, however, Mathurin stepped up in a big way, providing the Pacers with some serious support off the pine.
Mathurin ended the game with 25 points and 13 rebounds (three of which were on the offensive end) while shooting 9-of-15 from the floor and 1-of-5 from beyond the three-point arc. He also shot 6-of-9 from the free-throw line.
As a rookie last year, Mathurin was one of the most impressive youngsters in the league, showing off a nice blend of aggressiveness and shot creation. His talent is clear, and he could be a star in this league.
That said, he needs to string together efficient performances on a regular basis, and if that means coming off the bench to do so, that’s what the Pacers should continue to roll with.
Mathurin was best as a bench player last season, and so far this season, it’s looking like that trend has continued.