This is all you really need to see.
Not a single player had a positive +/-.
The Pacers entire team struggled, and there was little to know good to take out of the game. Play looked sloppy and disconnected. It was 1-on-5 most the time in offense, and it doesn't take an expert to know that passing the ball creates open looks, but that wasn't happening.
1st Quarter
In Indiana first three games, they had been collapsing into the paint often, making it hard on opposing offenses to drive the lane, but also making them susceptible to kicking the ball out to an open shooter. Early on it didn't matter as the Spurs were shooting 3-13. But eventually the tempo of the game increased San Antonio began to get in rhythm and jumped out to a lead as Indiana was playing hero ball on offense and not getting open shots. First possession when they stopped doing that lead to a Gerald Green 3-point basket.
The Pacers were not doing a good job of creating offense and should be thankful the Spurs couldn't find their own offensive rhythm, only down 26-18 to end the first quarter. Simply, San Antonio played better team basketball, keeping the Pacers offense shooting at 26%, to the Spurs 46%. But rebounding was even at 14.
2nd Quarter
We're losing by 20 POINTS!?!?!? Yup, Indiana looks like they are going to get blown out of the gym. However, The Pacer offense began to get their shots to fall, surprising without really coming together as an offense. However, the defense finally stepped up slow and eventually stop the San Antonio offense (Missed the last six field goals before half). Somehow the Pacers are coming back to close the gap to 47-38 at the intermission. The Pacers 13-2 run certainly helps, but as we wait for halftime to end, you have to wonder if they'll be able to cut the gap and keep the game from getting out of hand. Indiana needs to continue forcing the ball into the lane and getting to the foul line. David West was the only one hitting shots from range, hitting his two shots from the top of the key, everyone else had to create their offense from short range. Going 9/10 at the line and out rebounding the Spurs 14-8 helps as well.
3rd Quarter
The Spurs look happy driving to the top of the key and then making their play, usually by passing out. The Pacers continue to just to shoot and try to create their own offense. Of course when they do pass it always seems to be a bad one. Any momentum the Pacers had is gone in two minutes. I wish there was something to point to, but the players just looked unmotivated. Time and time again the Pacers try to play 1-on-5 basketball. Do we really need Danny Granger this badly? On the plus side, I at least like the aggressiveness of Tyler Hansbrough. He's not the most talented Pacer, but you know he's going to play physical ball and forced teams to foul him if they don't put up a fight. He gets in the game and makes Bonner push and shove (and foul) to try to get position on defense. Also, I miss Stephen Jackson, strangely.
4th Quarter
This...is... ugh. What am I suppose to say? It was the same thing all game long. Not playing team offense, the Spurs did a good job or trapping and deciding which players they were going to let shoot. I'm not even going to finish watching this replay. The Pacers look like a lottery team tonight.
No comments:
Post a Comment