Some flaws with Indiana's best defenders and how they can fix that this offseason
By Mueez Azfar
![Indiana Pacers v Boston Celtics - Game Two Indiana Pacers v Boston Celtics - Game Two](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2725,h_1532,x_0,y_44/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/105/01hynw9zg0tzv7tk2xdb.jpg)
Ever since the start of the year, defense has been the main issue with the Indiana Pacers. That, along with rebounding, has been the main reason why Indiana has lost the majority of their games this season, especially in the playoffs.
When the going gets rough, and their shots stop falling, Indiana simply cannot get key stops a lot of the time, often leaving shooters wide open from deep or leaving the paint open for the other team to take advantage of, which is what we have seen against Boston so far.
Probably the worst defensive possession I've seen
— John Jablonka (@JohnJablonka_) May 24, 2024
This was off a make. I don't know what the Pacers are doing just walking backwards on defense & somehow losing Pritchard behind them for the wide open corner 3pt pic.twitter.com/nXjMjUo229
Time and time again, the Pacers have been picked apart on the defensive end rather fiercely, with their defensive problems becoming even more noticeable when their shot isn't falling. Unlike top contenders such as the Celtics, the Pacers do not have a stout defense to rely on if they stop making shots, and instead, have to rely on their defensive pieces they have to hold it down until they start making shots again.
This boils down to multiple factors, none of which indicate a lack of defensive talent on this Pacers team. The Pacers have good defenders, they are just not used correctly and they still lack in certain aspects. Let me explain.