2 strengths, 3 weaknesses displayed in Pacers' embarrassing loss to the Hornets

The Indiana Pacers have experienced one losing streak of three games on the season. With a win on Friday, they could have had their first three-game winning streak on the year. The Charlotte Hornets strongly denied Indiana that feat.

With the 103-83 loss, the Pacers drop below .500 again and are now 4-5 this season. Different players were a factor in this one as we look at the strengths and weaknesses from the Pacers' ninth game of the year.

Strength: Pascal Siakam

The high scorer for Indiana was their starting power forward. Acquired midseason back in February, Siakam has brought his experience, talent, and leadership to the Pacers' locker room.

Offensively, he produced 22 points thanks in part to making five of his seven shots from behind the three-point arc. Siakam also tallied four rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

His presence was felt significantly on the floor. He was the only Pacers' player to have a positive plus/minus (+5). All four of the other starters had a -9 or worse.

Currently, Siakam ranks in the top 35 players in the league in terms of scoring. His 56% field goal percentage also ranks in the top 20 across the NBA.

The veteran big man has shown excellent ball control, too. He has only turned over the ball seven times in his last five games including Friday night.

Siakam has been one of the consistent forces on the Pacers' roster. It may take more than just his efforts to return Indiana to the playoffs for a second season in a row.

Weakness: The Pacers' starting backcourt

Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard sat out Friday night's game. Ben Sheppard was plugged into the starting lineup alongside All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Both guards failed to be a difference maker. At least not in a good way.

In 31 minutes, Sheppard made just one of his seven field goal attempts. He missed all four from behind the arc as well. Struggles on defense showed, too, as he committed a team-high five fouls. No other player for Indiana had more than two.

Despite Haliburton collecting seven boards and nine assists, he did not fare much better. He scored just six points while playing 34 minutes. Missing nine of his 11 shots including all four from three-point land didn't help the Pacers at all. Prior to Friday night, Haliburton had scored in double figures in his last five straight games.

If the Pacers are to bring their record back to .500 when they play their 10th game of the season. They will host the New York Knicks in their second meeting of the season.

Strength: Bennedict Mathurin

The third-year swingman has answered the call from head coach Rick Carlisle. The Pacers have seen injuries from both Nesmith and Nembhard keeping them out of the lineup. Mathurin has been inserted into the starting five as either the shooting guard or the small forward. Regardless of where, he has delivered.

After scoring 22 points for the Pacers on Friday night, he is now averaging 17.3 points a game. He is doing so while shooting 52.1% from the floor.

Mathurin made half of his 16 shots against the Hornets. He made both of his three-point attempts in addition to four of his five free throws.

In the month of November, he is averaging 19.25 points a game compared to 15.8 in October. During the October 30 game against the Boston Celtics, Mathurin dropped 30 points with ease while coming off the bench.

Since that game, he has been promoted to the starting lineup at either the two or the three spot. Carlisle has made the right call here. Mathurin's efficiency and production have helped Siakam collect wins for the Pacers.

Unfortunately, losses have been more frequent than a season ago. The Pacers were 6-3 after their first nine games last year.

2 weak numbers from the Pacers

After scoring 42 points on Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic, the Pacers' bench went rogue. In their last game, the second unit was 90% from the floor. Two subs went a perfect seven-for-seven and the other two were both two-for-three.

Friday night, the Pacers' bench was 31.5% from the floor. That is a 58.5% drop off from two nights prior. That significantly led to the 20-point blow out loss to the Hornets.

Another weak statistic that hurt Indiana was their inability to defend the three-point shot from Charlotte. Their opponent took 50 shots from three making 17 of them. That's 21 points alone from behind the arc.

LaMelo Ball went 5-18 from three and Brandon Miller did even better as he made seven of his 11 three-point attempts. Those two Hornets stung the Pacers for 31 and 29 points, respectively.

As mentioned, the Pacers are one game under .500, again. They need another first win to build any type of win streak. Their biggest win streak was six games last season as that happened from the end of last December through the New Year.

The Pacers will need stronger play from their starters, second unit, and then some if they look to recreate that success from a season ago.