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.
Bennedict Mathurin and Thomas Bryant show important parts of Pacers growth
Dec 29, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Pacers center Thomas Bryant (3) reacts after making a basket during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara/Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Bennedict Mathurin’s Impressive Growth: A Deep Dive into His Recent Performance
Bennedict Mathurin has been turning heads lately with his improved play for the Indiana Pacers. Rick Carlisle has singled out Mathurin’s performances in positive ways after recent games, highlighting the subtle changes in his game that have made a significant impact.
One of the most noticeable improvements in Mathurin’s game is his decision-making speed. He’s making quicker choices with the ball, whether it’s taking open catch-and-shoot threes or driving to the basket. This newfound decisiveness has opened up his game and made him more unpredictable for defenders.
Mathurin’s off-ball movement has also seen a marked improvement. He’s become more adept at reading the defense and making timely cuts or setting screens. This has allowed him to blend in better with the team’s offense while still maintaining his scoring threat.
The numbers back up Mathurin’s growth. Since a pivotal game against Philadelphia, the Pacers have been +92 with Mathurin on the floor, a significant improvement from earlier in the season. His offensive rating has jumped from 114.8 to 120.9, while his defensive rating has improved from 116.5 to 108.2.
Mathurin’s development isn’t limited to offense. His defensive efforts have become more focused and effective. While his steals per game have decreased, it’s a result of more disciplined defensive positioning rather than gambling for steals.
Another area of improvement is Mathurin’s playmaking. His assist-to-turnover ratio has become positive, primarily due to an increase in assists while maintaining his turnover numbers. This shows a growing understanding of the game and improved court vision.
Mathurin’s shooting efficiency has also seen an uptick. He’s now in the 63rd percentile for spot-up shooting, up from the 52nd percentile last season. Even more impressive is his improvement in shots off screens, jumping from the 27th percentile to the 92nd.
These improvements have solidified Mathurin’s place in the starting lineup, even with the potential return of Aaron Nesmith. His growth has been crucial to the Pacers recent success and bodes well for the team’s future.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Bennedict Mathurin’s development, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
• Thomas Bryant’s impact as the Pacers new backup center
• Tyrese Haliburton’s questionable status for the upcoming game against the Bulls
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
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.
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Rumor Speculation surrounds four Pacers players who may not finish the year with Indiana, sparking potential trade discussions. (8 Points, 9 Seconds)
Analysis Insights on Tyrese Haliburton’s status, Johnny Furphy’s demotion, and a possible trade highlight the latest strategic moves by the Pacers. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Tyrese Haliburton has been downgraded against the Bulls due to a new injury, impacting Indiana’s lineup. (Sports Illustrated)
Rumor The Warriors are not prioritizing a Jimmy Butler trade, instead focusing on acquiring centers, which could involve the Pacers in trade talks. (Bleacher Report)
Trade Evaluating the biggest NBA trades from last season, including those impacting the Pacers. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Bulls are set to play against the Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts. Pacers getting more from Mathurin, Bryant The Pacers have been seeing great play from Bennedict Mathurin recently. What changed in his game to improve? And what is Thomas Bryant doing so well?
Indiana escapes Brooklyn after an ugly one The Indiana Pacers took down the Brooklyn Nets despite a rough game. The blue and gold stunk on the glass and didn’t play their way, but they found enough solutions to escape with a victory.
Where the Pacers starters have shined Indiana has seen great play from their starters in the last month. Why? What are they doing so well, and why can’t other lineups follow suit? Plus, Cam Johnson via trade? Probably not... but maybe.
