3 positives, 2 negatives from Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. 76ers
By Mueez Azfar
Negative: Missed free throws
This was pretty painful to watch. I discussed this after the first tournament game against Cleveland and talked about it could come back to bite the Pacers if they keep this habit up. On Tuesday it returned and almost cost the Pacers another game.
On the night, the Pacers shot 33 free throws, similar to Philly's 35. However, while the Sixers were almost automatic from the line, hitting 34 out of 35, the Pacers were not so fortunate, shooting a rough 23/33 from the line. A 66% average.
Missed free throws are momentum-killers down the stretch, and the Pacers struggled with that problem more than they should have. In fact, Indy's free throw woes were probably the only reason why the fans in Philadelphia left happy, as Isaiah Jackson's two missed free throws in a row in the third quarter meant that fans in attendance would get free chicken nuggets.
While the Pacers would thankfully not struggle from the line in the fourth quarter, going 13/15 and taking away any chances of more free food, this is still an issue that needs to be looked at going forward.
Like I said before, free throws are the easiest points you can have in basketball, and if the best offense in the league isn't making them, there's no reason why they should be the best offense in the league.