There hadn’t been the excitement and build up in quite a while for any Indiana Pacers game. After a miserable Colts season, the city of Indianapolis wants to embrace the Pacers.
LeBron James went off on the Pacers, finishing with 33 points, 8 rebounds and 13 assists.
After an early schedule that came across like the preseason, Indiana played at Miami on Wednesday and got torn apart, losing 118-83.
The Pacers were down just two points after the first quarter, but they fell off-track in the second. It might be the worst quarter of Pacers basketball in history. 1-for-15 from the field and ten turnovers. That’s not going to beat anyone, especially the best team in the Eastern Conference. And the Heat were without Dwyane Wade, who sat out with a sore left foot.
Don’t put too much stock into a loss like this, but it certainly raises some red flags.
Against the Heat, Indiana seemingly ignored one of their best weapons — the inside game.
Roy Hibbert led Indiana with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. He’s got to get more touches and the opportunity to take advantage in the post.
The team has talked a lot about their frontcourt, featuring newly acquired David West along with Tyler Hansbrough, and Roy Hibbert. The tenacity of the the Pacers front line may be the best in the league, also noting Jeff Foster and Lou Amundson.
Instead, they settle for far too many jumpers, and shot just 26-percent from outside. This offense is better than that. This offense is smarter than that.
And what’s up with “the captain,” Danny Granger. He was just 2-for-13 in Miami, 1-f-7 from three, and had just six points. It’s not unusual for the sixth year play to get off to a slow start. He’s averaging 15 points and has shot 31-percent in six games.
A game like Miami is why it’s important to never get to high or low on the season. There’s no question this Indiana team has the chance to be very special with the combination of youth and veteran leadership. The young guys will greatly benefit the team when playing four games a week. Beginning the season with their first 15-of-22 games on the road isn’t easy but it will help mold the team together and allow the 13-players and new coaching staff to become very familiar. And with leadership, its a necessity that the blue and gold really haven’t had since the Reggie Miller days.
Now 4-2 on the very young season, the Pacers don’t get much of a break, playing in Boston on Friday evening. Then they’ll turnaround and the Bobcats on Saturday. Still a lot to show, and still a lot to prove.
The Heat took it to Indiana and it was one quarter that truly did them in. 60 games remain, and less than four months to play them. Oh, the joys of a shortened season.