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.
What Moses Brown can do for the Indiana Pacers
May 1, 2021; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Moses Brown (9) is fouled by Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Holiday (3) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports|Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Moses Brown: A New Body for the Pacers Center Position
The Indiana Pacers are in a critical phase, grappling with injuries that have left their center position vulnerable. Enter Moses Brown, a towering presence who could be an answer to the Pacers rebounding woes. With Myles Turner dealing with injuries and his backup centers also sidelined, Brown’s potential signing is timely. His height and agility make him a formidable force on the boards, a skill he has honed in the G League with the Westchester Knicks, where he’s averaged 18.5 points and 13.8 rebounds per game.
Brown’s game is straightforward yet effective. He thrives near the basket, with most of his shots coming from within three feet f the rim. His ability to secure offensive rebounds and convert them into second-chance points is a significant asset. However, his finishing needs improvement, as his shooting percentage from close range lags behind some of his potential teammates. The Pacers, currently struggling in rebounding metrics, could benefit from Brown’s knack for securing extra possessions.
The Role of Moses Brown in the Pacers Strategy
Brown’s integration into the Pacers lineup raises questions about his role when Turner is healthy. The potential pairing with Obi Toppin in the frontcourt could be advantageous against larger teams. Brown’s lack of a jump shot limits his offensive versatility, but his proficiency with putbacks and pick-and-roll situations compensates for this. His ability to execute these plays efficiently will be crucial for his success with the Pacers.
Defensively, Brown’s performance in pick-and-roll scenarios will be under scrutiny. His past struggles in this area suggest that improvement is necessary to avoid being targeted by opposing teams. His height and speed offer potential, but consistent defensive contributions are essential for him to secure a regular spot in the rotation.
Mad Ants: A Breeding Ground for Future Pacers
The Mad Ants, the Pacers G League affiliate, continue to be a vital part of the team’s ecosystem. Players like Kyle Mangas and Dakota Mathias are making waves with their scoring and shooting prowess. Mangas, a returning player, is averaging 17.4 points per game, while Mathias, known for his time at Purdue, is shooting 40% from beyond the arc. These performances highlight the potential for these players to contribute to the Pacers if the opportunity arises.
De’Vion Harmon, a recent acquisition, is another player to watch. His ability to score and distribute the ball makes him a valuable asset. With the Pacers current injury situation, the development of these players in the G League could have significant implications for the main roster.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Moses Brown’s potential impact and the role of the Mad Ants, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
- Analysis of the Pacers upcoming game against the Houston Rockets
- Insights into the Pacers current injury challenges
- Discussion on the Pacers rebounding struggles and potential solutions
- Overview of the Mad Ants standout players and their potential impact
The streak had to end sometime. Even the 2015-2016 Warriors only (“only”) got to 24 wins to start their season. Ironically, they’d go on to lose the title to the Cavs that season.
That Cleveland lost to the Celtics, in TD Garden, without Isaac Okoro and with Darius Garland shooting 3-21 — well only the first half of that stings. If Garland made two more of those field goals the Cavs would’ve taken the game, and Okoro, out with an ankle sprain, will be back.
This game was a tester for the Cavs. Beyond a match against the defending champs and a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview, it was an opportunity to see how the team responded to pressure, unfavourable conditions and expectation. NBA basketball is about winning, we all know this refrain well, but that the Cavs scoring dried up in crucial stretches while the team also fell into bad habits of turning the ball over in momentum-leeching moments, and they still managed multiple runs to come back within two, speaks pretty well to this group’s ability to respond.
What makes the Celtics so good, and a bit like a dream-crushing machine, is their ability to capitalize on and invert what usually brings their opponents wins. In the Cavs case, it’s their speed. Not just pure speed without aim, but their ability to push the pace within their offensive possessions because not one player tends to move in isolation from anyone else. Their lightning quick passing, their flashing cuts and counter-cuts, it’s all predicated on ball movement capitalizing on intuitive communication. A sixth sense of understanding where their teammates are on the floor at any given moment.
Boston was able to jam that up. Not entirely upend it, but chase with pace of their own enough that Garland at times appeared to be the pursued and not the pursuer. Where Garland rushed an offensive possession, where he went in for a fastbreak ISO drive to wrest the pace of the game back into his team’s hands, he bungled it. He’d botch an easy layup and go careening past the baseline, having to expend more energy to get back down the floor in the transition already underway. And the more he botched it, the faster he went. The Celtics saw this and upped the pressure on him, taking advantage of forced turnovers by draining three after three and all but eliminating a huge component of what’s made the Cavs so formidable — their rebounding.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis How the Cavaliers’ offseason plan has turned them into the top team in the league so far this year. (ESPN)
Milestone Russell Westbrook becomes the first player in NBA history to record 200 triple-doubles. (CBS Sports)
Must Read The NBA’s three-point revolution has gotten extreme, begging the question: How many is too many?(The Washington Post)
Trade The Pacers are urged to trade for Jimmy Butler to turn the season around. Acquiring the star player could provide the much-needed boost to the roster. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Pacers will go head-to-head with the Rockets in a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Can Dalton Knecht Keep Up This Run?
Nov 19, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) react after scoring a three point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images|Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Dalton Knecht has recently become a focal point in NBA fantasy discussions, thanks to his electrifying performances on the court. In a standout game, Knecht scored 37 points, including nine three-pointers, with an impressive 75% shooting accuracy. This remarkable display has fantasy managers buzzing, as Knecht’s shooting streak positions him as a valuable asset in leagues.
Knecht’s Shooting Streak: A Fantasy Goldmine
Over the past four games, Knecht has been on a tear, shooting 22 of 33 from beyond the arc, equating to a 67% success rate. Such efficiency is rare and highlights his potential as a sharpshooter. For fantasy managers, Knecht is a must-add player, especially given his current role in the Lakers’ starting lineup. However, while his shooting spree is impressive, it’s important to manage expectations, as maintaining such a high percentage is challenging over the long term.
Injury Updates and Their Impact on Fantasy Rosters
Knecht’s rise comes at a time when injuries are shaking up NBA rosters. Norman Powell’s hamstring injury, for instance, has left a gap in the Clippers’ lineup. With Powell likely sidelined for at least a week, players like Kris Dunn and Amir Coffey might see increased roles, offering potential value for fantasy managers seeking replacements.
Click the button below to get updates on Zach Edey’s ankle injury, and how Bradley Beal’s calf continues to cause problems for fantasy managers
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts. Moses Brown needs to finish and defend pick-and-rolls The Indiana Pacers will add Moses Brown in free agency. What can their new center bring to the team? What does his career suggest he can and can’t do? Plus, a conversation about the Indiana Mad Ants and Houston Rockets.
Shorthanded Pacers come up short in Toronto + Moses Brown signing coming Indiana was missing five rotation players when they entered Toronto to battle the Raptors on Monday, and they played like it. New lineups, poor defense, and plenty more led to another loss for the now 6-8 Pacers, who plan to sign center Moses Brown.
Indiana gets a much-needed win vs Miami Heat behind Myles Turner The Pacers needed a win Sunday and got it, taking down the Miami Heat for a nine-point win. Myles Turner’s season high was the story as he changed his attitude and dominated, but the Pacers victory was about much more than that.
