Three things Pacers fans should root for, two things to root against to close the season

As the regular season winds down to a close, the Indiana Pacers are in a close standings battle. We give you a rooting guide as the season ends.

Mar 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) and Indiana Pacers
Mar 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) and Indiana Pacers | Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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2. Pacers fans should root for Ben Sheppard being aggressive

We don't get to see it very often, but I love it when Ben Sheppard gets aggressive on offense. He doesn't take a lot of shots yet, but he shows flashes of aggressiveness. I'm not just talking about when he has the opportunity to shoot an open three or not either.

Sheppard has moments where he pump fakes and drives to the rim and really tries to create his own shot. He shows us some potential that he may unlock next year when he gets a little bit more time. We should still be seeing it more though. His handles are good enough to keep trying this.

Sheppard has scored in double digits only once in the last ten games in close to 20 minutes a game. He doesn't quite have the confidence to take more shots and really try to unlock his offensive game. But when he does show it, it's fun to watch.

The Pacers need someone with aggressiveness off the bench other than T.J. McConnell. Especially with Bennedict Mathurin out for the year. Opi Toppin isn't a guy that creates his own shots and neither is Jalen Smith. Sheppard has that capability and it'd be nice to see it come out a little more down the stretch.

The final thing Pacers fans should root for has to do with keeping all of their current players on a good and healthy path.

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