Hoops Habit
Fansided

Indiana Pacers: Starting Second Half Strong

By Matthew Handel

Feb 21, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Myles Turner (33) pumps his fist as he makes a basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Indiana Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Myles Turner (33) pumps his fist as he makes a basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Indiana Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

When the trade deadline ended last Thursday, the Indiana Pacers had made no moves. Keeping their core is working, they are off to a great start in the second half of the season.

Chase Budinger and George Hill were the only players that were rumored to be trade pieces for the Indiana Pacers. Nothing got done and the Pacers are now moving forward with the same roster they had before the deadline. It is obviously working, as the Pacers have a 3-1 record so far in the second half of the season.

Also, that one loss came in overtime against the Miami Heat. It was a game that the Pacers could have won and should have. With just one second left in the game and the Pacers down by one, Monta Ellis had two free throws to win the game. He missed one and made one, sending the game to overtime, where the Pacers were dominated and ended up losing 101-93.

As heartbreaking as this loss is, the Pacers have to be happy with three wins in four games. Continuing his dominant play, Paul George averaged 25 points per game over this four game stretch. Adding some help is the continuing development of rookie center, Myles Turner, who averaged 17 points per game over those four games.

Shooting Not the Issue

More from Indiana Pacers

The Pacers have averaged 45 percent from the field and 40 percent from behind the three-point line. Their best game from the field came against the Orlando Magic, where they shot 50 percent. The game against the New York Knicks was their best from behind the three-point line, shooting 50 percent.

Depending on good jump shooting numbers can be dangerous though, if you start relying too heavily on it, you can lack on the defensive end and if you have a bad shooting night, teams will beat you.

Ball Security and Rebounding Issues

Over the first four games of the second half of the season, the Pacers were outrebounded 202-172. Yes, they went 3-1 over these four games, but if they don’t correct this rebounding issue, it can be a big problem moving forward. They were lucky they were even close with the Heat, they got out rebounded by a huge margin, 66-45.

Turnovers were also a problem for the Pacers recently, averaging 14.3 the past four games. That number is actually below their season average of 15.2, which ranks them ninth in the NBA for turnovers per game. It may not seem like a problem because it is below that average, but if the Pacers want to continue to win, they will need to lower that number to around 12.5 or 13.

More hoops habit: Every NBA Franchise's Mount Rushmore

Learning to Calm Down

Paul George hasn’t recorded a technical foul in 75 days. This is impressive, especially in a league where superstars love to tell the refs just how bad they are calling a game. This will be important moving forward as well, keeping a calm state of mind will help George and the Pacers adjust to any game situation.

Going Forward

It is nice to be playing well after the All-Star break, but the Pacers need to keep their head down and keep winning games. Adjusting the rebounding and turnover numbers and continuing to shoot the ball well will be keys moving forward.

Home/Indiana Pacers