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 finally lose as Cleveland Cavaliers win in Indy
Jan 14, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) shoots the ball while Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski/Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Pacers Fall to Cavs: Analyzing the Zone Defense and Siakam’s Second-Half Struggles
The Cleveland Cavaliers employed an effective zone defense strategy against the Indiana Pacers, leading to a crucial victory. This defensive approach proved particularly challenging for the Pacers, especially in the absence of Tyrese Haliburton.
The Cavs zone defense was a game-changer, with Evan Mobley anchoring the back line. This setup created significant problems for the Pacers, particularly when facing their bench unit, which lacks elite shooters. While the Pacers starters typically have enough firepower to combat zone defenses, but Haliburton’s absence left them vulnerable.
Synergy tracking revealed that the Cavs utilized zone defense for an impressive 26 possessions, nearly a quarter of the game. This tactic effectively disrupted the Pacers offensive rhythm, making it difficult for them to find consistent scoring opportunities.
Pascal Siakam’s Performance
Pascal Siakam’s game was a tale of two halves. He started strong, scoring 21 points in the first half on efficient 9-for-11 shooting. However, his production dipped dramatically in the second half, managing only two points on 1-for-5 shooting.
This pattern isn’t isolated to this game alone. Throughout the season, Siakam has shown a tendency to be less involved offensively in second halves. On average, he’s taking 8.5 shots in first halves compared to just 6.2 in second halves, despite playing similar minutes. This trend is puzzling and potentially problematic for the Pacers offensive strategy.
The reasons behind this second-half drop-off aren’t entirely clear. It could be a result of defensive adjustments by opponents, changes in the Pacers rotation, or other factors. Regardless, it’s an area the team needs to address to maximize Siakam’s impact throughout entire games.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pacers performance against the Cavs, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
• Tyrese Haliburton’s injury update and potential return
• Bennedict Mathurin’s ejection and its implications
• Andrew Nembhard’s performance and shooting struggles
Have potential contenders figured out the Celtics?
Jan 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) fouls Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half at TD Garden. | Paul Rutherford/Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
It’s always risky, doubting the Celtics. Not for Celtics fans, but for the rest of us. On Friday night, at home, Boston fans booed their team as they let the Kings take an uncontested rebound and take (then make) the same 3-point attempt. The Celtics lost, recording their 11th of the season. That’s only four games more than this time last year.
Going back, Boston recorded most of their losses last season in the winter stretch leading up to All-Star Weekend, the same stretch they’re in now. I would chalk a lot of those losses up to fatigue and deft competition who could sense the Celtics easing up on the gas, if briefly. The Nuggets, Bucks, Cavaliers and (then) white hot Pacers took advantage of those minor slumps. The losses now, though coming this season within the same stretch with the same fatigue taking a portion of the toll, have to do more with opponents figuring out how the Celtics tick.
This season, the Celtics are a known quality. Their brand of basketball last year overwhelmed the majority of their opponents, teams not built to withstand a barrage of incessant 3-point shooting backed by a quick and smothering defence without a moment to recalibrate or catch their breath. Most teams spent entire games, and all their energy, trying to chase Boston off the line. This season the Celtics have slipped to a 7th overall (from 3rd) defensive rating, and are currently 3rd overall (from 1st) in offence — teams have figured them out.
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
Trades Here’s the latest on the NBA trade deadline and rumblings around the league. (The Athletic)
Rumor Who is truly untouchable in the Indiana Pacers’ lineup ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline? (Bleacher Report)
Feel Good A couple of Pacers fans decided to honor star Myles Turner the best way they knew how: by naming their kid after him. (Yahoo! Sports)
3peat (ICYMI)
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts. Pacers win streak ends vs Cavaliers The Pacers had a bad second half on Tuesday, struggling to get any stops as Cleveland ran away with the game. What went wrong for the Pacers and why did they turn away from Pascal Siakam?
The latest on Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell The Indiana Pacers have have some point guard issues right now as Tyrese Haliburton is injured and T.J. McConnell is struggling. What does it mean and what can the Pacers do about it?
A statement win for the Pacers Indiana earned their sixth win a row and toppled the red-ht Cavaliers on Sunday. It was a statement win for the back-on-track Pacers, who won with defense, balance, and a malleable game plan. But Tyrese Haliburton left the game with an injury.
