The Indiana Pacers are finally starting to settle into rotations that they will use in the playoffs. They have been experimenting with different stuff, including playing Pascal Siakam more with the second unit in order to have another shot creator play with the bench.
The byproduct of that is having Opi Toppin play more with the starters, like he did to start the year. When Siakam gets subbed out with about four minutes left in the first quarter, Toppin comes in. He gets to play some minutes with Tyrese Haliburton again, which is great for his game.
Toppin is the best rim runner the Pacers have and is one of the best rim runners in the league. Haliburton is the best passer in the league. Teaming those guys up in transition is an excellent way for Indiana to steal some easy points in tough games.
The Pacers should use more Tyrese Haliburton and Obi Toppin lineups
Toppin's three-point shooting benefits from Haliburton too. He's shooting a career-best 39% from deep. Because of that, he's in four of the Pacers' seven best five-man lineups since the All-Star break. All of those lineups have at least a +6 net rating or better.
Haliburton's ability to find anyone at any moment is the main reason why Toppin is so effective with those two players in the same lineups. Injuries have prevented the Pacers from being able to have too many extended minutes with certain lineups, but that's about to change.
Toppin's defense has gotten better. It's still not great, but he usually tries hard. Haliburton's defense is still terrible. That's why they need someone like Myles Turner to anchor whatever lineup they're in together. Otherwise, the Pacers are just a turnstile at the rim.
Toppin might not be in Indiana long-term because of how high Jarace Walker was drafted. Toppin could end up walking after this year. He's doing his best to show his value to not only the Pacers but every other team in the league.