Basketball, She Wrote
patreon
Why the Pacers keep losing to losing teams
🕑 Added 2024-04-04 16:13:24 +0000 UTCAnd whether the glass, as it pertains to the latest loss against a below .500 opponent, should be considered half empty or half full
By: Caitlin Cooper I @C2_Cooper
After giving up 42 points in the second quarter and going almost four minutes without scoring to start the second half in what became a dismal, 115-111 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the Pacers have moved to 18-14 on the season against teams with losing records. Among the top-10 teams in the East, only the Atlanta Hawks (16-13) have a a worse win-loss percentage against below .500 opponents. Needless to say, this wasn't pretty. The uneven compete level returned on defense, and the offense went through lulls that seemed mostly avoidable. In that regard, this latest loss lies somewhat in the eye of the beholder. One the one hand, a thorough examination of past film from this season, reveals that they likely have playoff solutions for some of their hang-ups; however, in order to behold some of the solutions, they need to actually, you know, make the playoffs.
Let's review what went wrong, in view of what has gone right throughout other parts of the season, including Monday night's win over the same opponent:
0:00 - Introductions
0:47 - The Pacers keep losing to losing teams
1:08 - A crunch-time loss that wasn't a crunch-time loss
2:00 - Getting clowned by Noah Clowney
4:17 - Going nearly four minutes without a made field goal
4:58 - The Nets get serious
6:52 - Waiting too long to get the ball to Siakam
8:42 - Tyrese getting jammed as the stack screener
10:27 - Driving the big with Siakam instead of Tyrese
12:02 - Tweaking the spacing around post-ups
13:31 - Thank you and Goodbye
Comments
Rafa
It is hard to accept the answer being better execution instead of adjustment when you are moving TH off ball.
Caitlin Cooper
This has been among the most confusing aspects to explain since I started covering this team many years ago. Typically, I can't point to very specific reasons, whether tactical or personnel-based, as to why they are coming up short in a specific area. Now, while I think there are certain shortcomings that can be pointed to, they don't matter if the requisite effort isn't consistently there -- and that is very difficult to explain, especially amid a playoff push.
Dwain Kitchel
if this team can't play defense for several solid games in a row and up their energy for every quarter....this playoff dream is going to poof
Caitlin Cooper
Both of those would help, yes.
Caitlin Cooper
Always better to expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised than to have hope and get letdown. This is what sad jeff teague has ingrained within us.
Caitlin Cooper
That's the spirit!
Caitlin Cooper
The potential single-game referendums from a Sixers-Pacers Play-In would be nightmare fuel, haha
Larry Getts
I can’t wait until the playoffs begin, only then will this Pacers team be assured of not losing to a bottom-five team.
James T Sandberg
I am feeling like we get 7th, lose to Philly and then lose to Chicago. That feels too reasonable and I'm pre-grieved by it.
Jason S.
Losing to Buddy and the Sixers would be easier to take than losing to the Bulls. This loss was a disappointing super bummer.
Zach Aldridge
Tyrese becoming more comfortable and effective as a screener and flowing into actions as an off ball player seems to be the main key to unlocking the offense in his new role (also consistently getting the ball to pascal in mismatches would help)
