Pacers with a real opportunity to get back on track, pile up wins

The Pacers had been gone for over week, completing their first four-game trip out west of the season.

It didn’t go so well, we all know. Three losses, just one measly win. They’ve lost two in a row and six of their last eight games. The two wins? Over Phoenix, one of the worst teams in The Association.

Tuesday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers (28-16) is the start of a much friendlier part of their schedule in which they play four consecutive games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, and seven of their next nine prior to All-Star break (Feb. 14).

With the most challenging part of their schedule behind them, the Pacers (23-21) play 22 of their final 38 games at home.

Then, beginning March 15th, they play 11 of their last 16 regular-season games in Indy.

“If we can get consistent home play to turn this thing around and hopefully, a win after a win will create in effect a (winning) streak,” said Paul George.

Being at home won’t solve all their problems, it only is more convenient and they’ll certainly get a boost from the crowd. For the Pacers to begin to pile up wins again, it starts on the defensive end.

“If we start guarding people, we’ll start winning,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said Monday after practice.

Vogel’s favorite measuring stick for defense is their defensive efficiency. For the season, they are fourth behind San Antonio, Boston, and Golden State. But over their last three games — two losses — they rank 11th.

The focus for much of the season has been on the offensive side of the ball — pushing the tempo, more ball movement, and some on small ball. But when this team is at its best, it is defending well, keeping the score down, and making opponent uncomfortable.

Another issue has been the lineups being in flux, both due to the shuffling of big and small lineups, and guys going in and out. Rodney Stuckey has been out for two weeks with a foot sprain and bone bruise, Ian Mahinmi has had both a heel injury and a sprained ankle, and then George Hill missed three games due to the early birth of his first child, Zayden.

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“It’s just so tough,” Paul George tried to explain. “Night-after-night, game-after-game it’s a new rotation, it’s a new guy in there, it’s a new guy going down with an injury. It’s just tough to gain that chemistry.”

Lack of practice time doesn’t help, either.

“It’s on us,” George made clear, not to make excuses. At this point of the season, every player has some issue.

First up is the Clippers, who recently strung together 10 straight wins but will be without Blake Griffin Tuesday night. They beat them earlier this season in Los Angeles, 103-91, and are seeking to sweep the season series for the second time in three seasons.

“They’re a championship contender,” Vogel said. “… One of the hottest teams in the NBA.”

It’s important, though, that the Pacers don’t look ahead to more home games and the All-Star break in mid-February. It’s cliché, but they truly must lock in on one game at a time.

“Our toughest part of the season is behind us,” George said. “It’s now [time] that we pick up the pace at home.”