Pacers coach Frank Vogel is changing up his starting lineup for Game 4. With the team down 2-1 in their best-of-seven series against the Toronto Raptors and losers in the last two games, rookie Myles Turner will start in place of Lavoy Allen.
![Myles Turner has shot 61.5 percent from the field in this Round 1 series. [Frank McGrath/PS&E]](https://i0.wp.com/www.vigilantsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Myles-Turner-jumper.jpg?resize=162%2C226)
Myles Turner has shot 61.5 percent from the field in this Round 1 series. [Frank McGrath/PS&E]
Allen, who started in each of the first three games, hasn’t been effective in his 14.7 minutes per game. He didn’t score in nine minutes of action in Game 3.
The Pacers rookie started half of the 60 games that he appeared in during the regular season. He has come off the bench in each of the last 10 games, going back to their April 2nd game at Philadelphia.
In this series, Turner, who’s just 20, is averaging 11.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game. When he started the second half of Thursday’s Game 3 loss to the Raptors, he provided a much needed spark of energy.
[Quotable: Pacers and Raptors after Game 3]
“I can’t explain it, to be honest with you,” Vogel said of how Turner has adapted to NBA play. “He’s 19, just turned 20, and he’s just very, very mature. Uniquely mature for his age, very confident, and we’re very excited about his future.”
Raptors coach Dwane Casey spoke very highly of Turner’s play.
“That young man is growing,” he said. “I know the injuries slowed him down early in the season but he’s got a great touch and he’s going to be an excellent shooter in our league. I think, eventually, he’s going to range out to the 3-point line. He reminds me a lot of Rasheed Wallace at a younger age. His touch is unbelievable and his length, and his size, speed and athleticism, his future is going to be bright. He makes you adjust your pick-and-roll defensive schemes just because the way he can stretch the floor.”