Tony East here, the host of the daily Locked On Pacers podcast, with your daily Locked On Pacers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pacers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Indiana Pacers offense vanishes again vs Orlando Magic
Nov 13, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots over Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (35) during the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images|Mike Watters/Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Pacers Offensive Struggles: A Deep Dive into Recent Challenges
The Indiana Pacers recent performance has left many scratching their heads. Despite a promising start to the night, the team struggled to maintain consistency, particularly on the offensive end. The totality of the outing against the Orlando Magic highlighted some issues as the Pacers managed only 90 points, a concerning trend that has become all too familiar for the 2024-25 group.
Offensive Identity Crisis
The Pacers offensive identity seems to have vanished. Ranked 16th in offensive rating, the team is far from the high-scoring unit they were expected to be this year. Tyrese Haliburton, a key player in last season’s success, has not been able to replicate his previous form. His performance against the Magic was a stark reminder of this, as he scored just nine points on 14 shots. Haliburton’s struggles are emblematic of the team’s broader issues regarding ball movement, pace, and paint pressure.
The Magic’s defense, while formidable, should not have been an insurmountable obstacle. The Pacers inability to finish at the rim and their poor decision-making on drives were significant factors in their loss. Despite winning the turnover battle, the Pacers offensive execution was lacking, with players often driving into crowds and failing to make the right passes.
Defensive Bright Spots and Rebounding Woes
While the offense faltered, the Pacers defense showed promise. Holding the Magic to 94 points should have been enough for a win given the talent on the Pacers roster. However, rebounding issues plagued the team, with the Magic dominating the glass. Myles Turner struggled significantly, recording only two rebounds. This lack of presence on the boards allowed the Magic to gain extra possessions, which ultimately contributed to the Pacers downfall.
Despite these challenges, there were moments of defensive brilliance. The Pacers managed to contain key Magic players, forcing them into difficult shots and turnovers. Yet, these efforts were undermined by the team’s inability to convert defensive stops into offensive success.
The Pacers bench, usually a source of strength, also failed to deliver. With injuries affecting the rotation, the team needed someone to step up, but no one could provide the necessary spark. This lack of depth was evident as the starters were forced to play extended minutes, further highlighting the team’s current struggles.
The road ahead for the Pacers involves finding their offensive rhythm and re-establishing their identity. With upcoming games against the Miami Heat, the team has an opportunity to regroup and address these issues. The potential is there, but the execution must improve for the Pacers to turn their season around.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pacers challenges, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Traditionally, press defenses are a weapon of last resort in the NBA, fit only for highly specific scenarios or times of desperation. Professional basketball players simply are too good at passing and dribbling to be susceptible to large doses of full-court press — or so the thinking went. But the thinking, it is a-changin’.
Synergy’s database goes back to the 2008-2009 season, and before last year, only one team had used press on even 5% of their defensive possessions: the 2020-21 Charlotte Hornets.
Last year, however, we saw a notable rise in the press defense, thanks to two teams. The Portland Trail Blazers and Indiana Pacers both beat Charlotte’s mark. Portland led the league by pressing 7.2% of the time, yielding only .94 points per possession (well below their typical defensive rating of 1.04, although that’s not by any means an apples-to-apples comparison), and I predicted that this year, the Blazers — featuring heavy doses of ambulatory fly paper Toumani Camara — would crack 10%.
I had the right idea but the wrong team. Instead, the Pacers are currently pressing 11.9% of the time, followed closely by Brooklyn’s 11.5% (the Blazers come in third, with a still historically high 8.4%). In retrospect, Indiana’s surging interest in the press shouldn’t be a huge surprise — they picked up full-court on nearly a quarter of their possessions in last year’s playoffs. That’s insane!
They haven’t been quite that extreme this year, but look at this graph of every team’s percentage of defensive possessions in press defense:
Six teams in total are pressing more than 5% of the time. 22 of the league’s 30 teams are pressing more this year than last (with the caveat that we’re talking about a couple dozen possessions or fewer for many of these teams), and this is by far the most press we’ve seen since the data became available. Given the weaknesses we mentioned in the opening paragraph, why is the press gaining popularity?
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Analysis Sam Vecenie of the Athletic breaks down how this year’s rookies have started. I don’t agree with all of his picks, but he’s always thoughtful with his selections and insightful with his analysis. (NY Times, Subscription required)
Personnel HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto goes behind the scenes with the Indiana Pacers’ coaching staff. Mostly, you get a better appreciation for how little coaches sleep! (HoopsHype)
Must Read Jared Dubin investigates the rise in dunks over time for his newsletter “Last Night, In Basketball.” It’s a fun, breezy read! (Last Night, Subscription required)
Rumor Buzz is brewing around potential trades the Indiana Pacers might explore. Fans are eager to see if any big moves will shake up the roster. (8 Points 9 Seconds)
Must Read Kinda? A deep dive into the worst free-agent signings in Pacers history reveals some costly mistakes. Lessons learned for the future? (8 Points 9 Seconds)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Wednesday’s Notable Fantasy Basketball Performances
Nov 13, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images|Photo By Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
In the ever-evolving world of fantasy basketball, keeping an eye on emerging talents and consistent performers is key to maintaining a competitive edge. Let’s delve into the standout performances of three young guns, as well as the continued dominance of Giannis, and explore their potential impact on your fantasy lineup.
Donovan Clingan: A Rising Star?
Donovan Clingan’s recent performance has caught the attention of fantasy managers everywhere. With 31 minutes on the court, Clingan delivered an impressive stat line of 17 points, 12 rebounds, and a staggering eight blocks. His ability to dominate the paint and contribute defensively makes him a valuable asset, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Deandre Ayton’s injury status. While Clingan’s long-term role remains uncertain, his current form makes him a must-add in fantasy leagues, particularly for those in need of blocks and rebounds.
Jared McCain: Rookie on the Rise
Jared McCain has quickly become a hot topic in fantasy circles, thanks to his explosive performance in the absence of key players like Paul George and Joel Embiid. McCain’s 34-point game, complete with six three-pointers and 10 assists, showcases his potential as a high-usage player. While his current role is bolstered by injuries to teammates, McCain’s talent is undeniable. Fantasy managers should consider adding him to their rosters, but remain cautious about his long-term value once the team’s stars return.
Click the button below to see how Giannis continues to be a fantasy force, and why for Victor Wembanyama, the future is now.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts.
Pacers offense falters in loss vs Magic The Pacers shot just 38% from the field as they lost to Orlando despite holding the Magic to 94 points. What is going on for the Pacers on offense? Why has their high scoring attack gone missing?
Can Pascal Siakam be an All-Star? Pascal Siakam’s stats suggest he could be an All-Star this year. Will he? And why the Pacers two-way contract players have been so important the last week or so.
10 games of the 2024-25 Indiana Pacers Former Miller Time Podcast host Dave Searle stops by to discuss the highs and lows of the Pacers first 10 games, including Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, and more.
