Game 3: Sacramento Kings at Indiana Pacers

(Quick bit of housekeeping: I got behind so some of the previous game breakdowns will be quick summaries instead of longer ones.)

The Pacers defense seems to want to collapse to the paint, making them susceptible to kick outs for threes. The Kings seemed to be the first team (then two days later, the Spurs with more success) that began to almost rely on Indiana's tenaciousness to create open shots. One would think that with someone like Hibbert protecting the paint, there wouldn't be the need to collapse in like that. While Sacramento struggled and shot only .363 percent from the floor. This certainly helps give the Pacers their 67-47 rebounding advantage in the game, one wonders how well this strategy will work against teams with better shooters. (Say, the Spurs?)

On offense the Pacers went to the post as usual. Often relying on West to either make a jumper or pass out of a double team.  (7-21 shooting, only 1 assist. However, thanks to his defense, his +/- was +21)

It was good to see the Pacers score with Paul George late in the game to tie. The Pacers went with a low four to create isolation for George, and he had no problem creating space for himself and knocking down a three pointer.

The big thing I took away from this game was that the Pacers should have lost. The Kings had so many opportunities to take the lead late in the game, but they couldn't get their good shots to fall. A day later we would see the Spurs exploit all these short comings.