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 early-season stats reveal about the Indiana Pacers
Nov 24, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (9) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) and center Myles Turner (33) defend in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports | Trevor Ruszkowski/Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Unpacking the Indiana Pacers Early Season Performance
Analyzing On-Off Numbers As we explore the early season stats for the Indiana Pacers, some on-off numbers reveal significant insights about player performances and team dynamics. Pascal Siakam stands out as the team’s most impactful player, boasting the highest on-off difference by far. With Siakam on the court, the Pacers net rating is a positive 1.93, but it plummets to minus 11.89 when he’s off. This stark contrast highlights Siakam’s crucial role in both offensive and defensive plays. His presence improves the team’s offense by 4.25 points per 100 possessions and enhances their defense by 9.5 points. The challenge, however, lies in the performance of his backups, like Obi Toppin, whose defensive struggles have been evident. Toppin’s on-off numbers reflect a minus 15.5, indicating a significant drop in team performance when he’s on the floor.
Bench Performance and Player Contributions The Pacers bench, a strong point last season, hasn’t matched its previous success. The absence of key players like Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard due to injuries has impacted the team’s depth in a major way — and their bench has suffered. Ben Sheppard missing time has hurt, too.
The Pacers reserve unit with T.J. McConnell, Toppin, a center, and Sheppard was terrific. They’ve been without two of those players, and they haven’t gotten to play with Bennedict Mathurin as he has been promoted to the starting five. Jarace Walker, Johnny Furphy, and others have underwhelmed by Moses Brown is new and Toppin has struggled. Together, it’s led to a drop in bench effectiveness.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pacers early season performance, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
- Detailed analysis of the Pacers bench struggles compared to last season
- The impact of injuries on team performance and rotation
- Strategies for improving defensive play among starters
- Insights into individual player performances and their contributions to the team dynamics
Nov 27, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts to a call against the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images | Brad Rempel/Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Anthony Edwards went off on Wednesday night, and it wasn’t in the game.
The Timberwolves star had a lot of frustration to share after Minnesota lost to the Kings, and tallied their fourth straight loss in a row.
“We thought defense was our identity, and it’s not looking like that,” Edwards said in the locker room. “Our identity right now, me and Mike [Conley] was talking about it, I think is we soft as hell as a team, internally. Not to the other team, but like internally we soft, like we can’t talk to each other. Just a bunch of little kids, just like we playing with a bunch of little kids. Like everybody, like the whole team, we just can’t talk to each other and we gotta figure it out, man, because we can’t go down this road.”
He spoke at length, not holding much back, but the most interesting flag came in Edwards comments about the team as a whole. He noted that everyone on the team had their “own agenda”, which made it particularly difficult for him, as the de facto leader, to get them on the same page. Wolves beat reporter for the Star Tribune, Chris Hine, said Edwards lamented the team was “growing apart”, partly because it felt so difficult to have honest conversations with teammates.
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
Biz Former Timberwolves GM and current president of Paris Basketball David Kahn predicts the NBA will be in Europe “within two years” (EuroHoops)
Rumor In a blockbuster proposal, the Pacers could trade a $40M star to the Lakers, shaking up both teams’ rosters significantly. (Sports Illustrated)
Feel Good Tyrese Haliburton is on a journey to rediscover his love for basketball, focusing on joy and passion for the game. His story is inspiring for fans and players alike. Haliburton’s quest brings a feel-good element to the season. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Pacers host the Pistons in the latest NBA Cup group stage matchup. Read the preview.(NBA)
LaMelo Ball Is Out On Friday - What Are The Fantasy Basketball Implications?
Nov 27, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the first half against the Miami Heat at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
As we gear up for a packed NBA schedule, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the game with the latest injury updates and strategic streaming options. With ten games on the horizon, there’s plenty to consider for your fantasy basketball lineup.
Injury Updates and Streaming Strategies
The New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets face off in an early game, and the injury report has thrown a few curveballs. Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson are out for the Knicks, while the Hornets are missing key players like Mark Williams, Nick Richards, and Miles Bridges. The unexpected absence of LaMelo Ball due to a calf issue adds another layer of complexity. With Ball sidelined, Vasa Micic becomes a prime streaming target, offering value for both Friday and Saturday games. Keep an eye on Jalen Brunson, who seems to be finding his rhythm again, which is a positive sign for fantasy managers.
On the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks front, Darius Garland’s recent dip in usage and shooting is worth monitoring. Meanwhile, Trae Young’s impressive assist numbers continue to shine, despite some Achilles concerns. For streaming, Ty Jerome is a viable option if Dean Wade and Caris LeVert remain out, while DeAndre Hunter offers potential upside for the Hawks.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts. What the early-season numbers tell us about the Indiana Pacers The Pacers are nearly 1/4th of the way through their season. What do some numbers say about the team and its strengths? A deep dive into the numbers reveals just how good Pascal Siakam has been and how much the bench has taken a step back.
Pacers get their third-straight win behind their stars The Indiana Pacers beat the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday for their third win in a row, and Pascal Siakam linked up with Tyrese Haliburton to make it all possible. They dominated down the stretch as the Pacers cleaned up their play for the win.
Are the Pacers actually playing better? The great JMV stops by to discuss the Indiana Pacers and their run of play. Are they actually playing better after two wins in a row? What would it take for them to turn a corner? How can they inspire confidence the rest of this week?
