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 stars carry them to a win
Oct 30, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) and guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrate Siakam’s game-winning three point basket against the Boston Celtics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images | Grace Smith/Grace Smith/USA Today Network via Imagn Images
Pacers Dynamic Duo: Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam Shine in Victory
The Indiana Pacers are winning, securing their third-consecutive victory by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. This victory, which brings the Pacers to a 9-10 record, was marked by the outstanding performances of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. Their synergy on the court was a game-changer, showcasing the potency of this dynamic duo.
Haliburton and Siakam: A Formidable Pair
Tyrese Haliburton’s recent performances have been nothing short of impressive. With 28 points against the Blazers, he continues to demonstrate his scoring prowess, following up on strong showings against the Pelicans and the Wizards. Haliburton’s ability to navigate defenses, even when faced with top defenders like Portland’s Toumani Camara, highlights his growing influence on the court.
Pascal Siakam matched Haliburton’s energy, tying his season-high with 29 points. His versatility in scoring from various positions on the floor posed significant challenges for the Blazers, who struggled to find a suitable defensive matchup. Siakam’s ability to exploit these mismatches was crucial, as he led the team in shot attempts and maintained pressure on the Blazers defense throughout the game.
The fourth quarter was a testament to their combined strength. Haliburton and Siakam accounted for 21 of the Pacers 25 points in the final period, effectively sealing the win. Their ability to execute plays and create scoring opportunities under pressure was pivotal, demonstrating the potential of their partnership.
The Importance of Offensive Rebounds and Turnovers
While Haliburton and Siakam were the stars, the Pacers success was also built on key strategic elements. Offensive rebounds played a significant role, with the team securing 19 compared to the Blazers 13. This advantage provided the Pacers with additional scoring opportunities, crucial in a game where every possession counted.
Turnovers were another critical factor. The Pacers managed to limit their turnovers to just 12, with only four occurring in the second half. This discipline in ball handling allowed them to maintain control and capitalize on their offensive rebounds, ultimately contributing to their victory.
The Pacers ability to adapt and overcome early challenges, such as a 10-point deficit in the second quarter, underscores their current resilience. By focusing on these key areas, they were able to turn the game in their favor and secure a much-needed win.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pacers strategies and performances, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
- Analysis of Bennedict Mathurin’s clutch performance and impact on the game.
- Myles Turner’s defensive contributions and rebounding prowess.
- The role of Quenton Jackson and other key players in the Pacers recent success.
- Upcoming challenges and opportunities for the Pacers in their next games.
Giving thanks for a better-than-expected rookie class
Happy Thanksgiving! To give you something to talk about with your undoubtedly NBA-fluent families and friends, here are some rookie rankings to chew over.
1. Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers
Over his last ten games, McCain has averaged 23 points per game (top 25 in the league in that span) on solid efficiency, including 39% from deep on crazy volume. Philly hasn’t had much to cheer about this season, but McCain’s surprising on-ball creation and superb off-ball movement have Philly fans seeing a future star (wait, maybe that’s just their court). I’m obsessed with this little moonwalk he uses to shake OG Anunoby juuuust enough to bury a shuriken in his eye:
McCain moonwalks into a three over OG Anunoby
McCain likely won’t score like this when the team’s fully healthy (and he’s cooled off the last two games), but the fact that he can is a great sign for the team’s present and future.
2. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Castle has risen to second place thanks to an excellent recent stretch. Since becoming a starter, Castle’s averaged 15 points, three boards, and five assists while playing ferocious defense.
Castle is incredibly versatile. At nearly 6’6” pre-shoes and pre-hair, he has the size and speed to fill any number of roles. As I wrote about at length here, he’s quickly becoming the perfect amorphous fit next to Victor Wembanyama.
Although his three-point accuracy is still developing, Castle’s confidence in his shot is the skeleton key that unlocks the rest of his offensive game. And the more effective he is on offense, the more opportunity he’s given to create absolute havoc on defense.
I’m particularly intrigued by his ability to be a faux-big man in the screen and roll:
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
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Draft The Indiana Pacers are gearing up for the draft, evaluating prospects to bolster their roster. Check out the detailed analysis of potential picks and their fit with the team’s strategy in the upcoming draft. (8 Points, 9 Seconds)
Feel Good Tyrese Haliburton is on a mission to rediscover his passion for basketball. Learn how he plans to reignite his joy for the game and its potential impact on the Pacers this season. (Sports Illustrated)
Must Read LaMelo’s proclivity for fouls, how many wins Philadelphia needs for the play-in, examining OKC’s defense, and more. (ESPN+)
Feel Good The Pistons’ willingness to spend, the Nets’ and Lakers’ new coach, and more things for each NBA team to be thankful for. (CBS Sports)
Analysis A roundtable of experts discusses the league’s biggest storylines after the first month of the season. (Fansided)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
In case you missed it...
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest | Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury could sideline him for at least a week, impacting fantasy basketball strategies. This opens opportunities for players like John Collins, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabaugh to increase their roles and fantasy value.
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues | Monday’s NBA action saw significant fantasy basketball impacts, with Gary Harris and Jalen Suggs suffering hamstring injuries, potentially increasing roles for Cole Anthony and Anthony Black.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts.
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?
The Pacers beat the Pelicans as Tyrese Haliburton looks great Tyrese Haliburton looked like the player that appeared last year, raining in nine threes against the Pelicans in a much-needed win for the Pacers. Is he turning a corner? What ignited him during a key victory?
