THE Pacers suffered a Defeat 131-130 of their first preseason sport in opposition to the Hawks on a last-second three-pointer from Atlanta’s Seth Lundy, which might have been a heartbreaking technique to begin the season if the sport really mattered.
After all, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle used all the liberty that comes with video games during which outcomes do not matter. He performed his starters for 16 minutes within the first half however did not use them in any respect within the second half, even when the Hawks performed starters. He stored the second unit collectively for vital minutes within the first and second half, getting work for a gaggle that was taking part in smaller than normal resulting from accidents to facilities Myles Turner and Isaiah Jackson that led to the Energy ahead Obi Toppin to just accept the job because the 5 man. And Carlisle used the fourth quarter to judge the gamers on the finish of its bench, utilizing only one member of its second unit and getting work for the three Pacers who’ve two-way contracts.
So preserving in thoughts that the aim of this train for the Pacers was to get a greater concept of what they’ve 15 days earlier than the opener, listed below are 5 observations.
James Wiseman can perform the mission
It has in fact been talked about greater than as soon as on the NBA TV present that James Wiseman was the No. 2 choose within the 2020 NBA Draft, that his ceiling is excessive, and that if he reaches his potential, he can increase the Pacers’ ceiling. considerably. This narrative gained prominence as a result of Wiseman began with Turner (proper knee contusion) and Jackson (strained proper hamstring) and scored eight factors on 4-of-4 capturing and grabbed 4 rebounds, together with two on the offensive glass .
However for the Pacers, and maybe for Wiseman himself, it is most likely finest — as Carlisle urged in his day’s press convention with the media — to overlook the place Wiseman was drafted and simply put together for fulfillment by preserving its mission easy. He was requested to do solely what is anticipated of reserve facilities on a veteran minimal contract, working the court docket, ending straightforward seems to be across the basket and rebounding. Do not take into consideration what it is going to take to play as a focus of the offense and develop into a franchise centerpiece worthy of the funding the Golden State Warriors have put in him. Simply do the fundamentals.
As a result of at this level, it seems to be like Wiseman can do the fundamentals. For those who rely Fan Jam, he is 8 of 10 from the sphere to date in his first two video games in a Pacers jersey (that did not rely). His 7-1, 240-pound measurement stands out even in a league populated with giants, he is in adequate bodily situation to maintain up the tempo Indiana runs, and he strikes nicely with out the ball to seek out area across the rim whereas others drive to be there for straightforward unloads.
And that is all Wiseman must do to make himself a discount and a reliable heart choice coming off the bench. He will certainly be in some type of rotation behind Turner with Jackson, and there can be occasions when the leaner, taller Jackson would be the higher choice. And naturally, Turner is the undisputed starter. However Wiseman could be a pressure just by staying inside himself.
Andrew Nembhard continues to assault
Andrew Nembhard stated after Fan Jam that he feels far more assured now that he is aware of how efficient he may be when trying to rating. He would not need to take each picture. He would not must get in anybody’s approach or take the ball out of Tyrese Haliburton’s fingers. But when he performs with sufficient aggression to develop into an offensive risk, it makes the Pacers that a lot more durable to protect.
His efficiency Tuesday was one other signal of how impactful he may be. He was slippery on dribbles, sliding into spots within the paint or simply outdoors for pull-ups and floaters. However he additionally confirmed how nicely he can transfer with out the ball in an effort to attain. When Pascal Siakam was double-teamed alongside the baseline within the first quarter, Nembhard in the reduction of on the block so Siakam might hit him with a simple go for a layup. Nembhard completed with 10 factors on 4 of seven capturing with three assists, sustaining his momentum heading into his second preseason sport.
Pascal Siakam appears extra comfy
Pascal Siakam was comparatively quiet in Fan Jam, however was dominant in his 16 minutes of labor Tuesday, scoring 15 factors on 6-of-8 capturing, pulling down 3-of-4 3-pointers and allotting 4 assists.
Siakam’s spin motion continues to be problematic. He is dynamite within the mid-range and, in fact, when he is a 3-pointer, he is nearly unattainable protection. Going by means of preseason camp along with his teammates clearly provides him extra consolation on offense and he has a greater concept of play in opposition to them. The Pacers already knew they might rely on him, however he could possibly be an much more efficient weapon than final yr.
Protection is at all times random
For the primary six minutes of the sport, the Pacers protection regarded prefer it might begin from a complicated place in comparison with final yr. Indiana took a 22-5 lead because the Hawks made each discipline objectives in that span. Jalen Johnson nailed a driving pull-up and Dyson Daniels received a simple lower for a layup, however the Pacers had been practically excellent in any other case. Nembhard was preventing by means of screens to remain in entrance of Trae Younger and the remainder of the Hawks weren’t doing a lot to take benefit.
And after that, the Hawks outscored the Pacers 30-9 for the remainder of the quarter, ending the primary half 12 of 20 from the ground with 1.37 factors per possession.
A part of that needed to do with the second unit being -13 throughout their time on the ground, however the first unit was -8 after the primary six minutes.
The Pacers had different intervals the place they put up robust resistance, just like the 11-0 run to start out the second quarter. They held the Hawks to 10 of 29 capturing within the second half, together with 1 of 11 from 3-point vary. However within the third quarter, they allowed 41 factors on 14-of-18 capturing, a exceptional 1.39 factors per possession. This was due partially to the truth that the Pacers’ second unit was going through the Hawks’ starters and the Hawks’ second unit was on the ground when the Pacers dug deeper.
Nonetheless, the Pacers hope their second unit can maintain one other group’s starters from capturing 78 % from the ground with 22 factors within the paint in a single quarter. The Hawks hit two 3-pointers and a mid-range jumper in that span, however all the pieces else was within the lane with most of these pictures coming from the rim. Two buckets had been on fast blocks, however for probably the most half the Hawks had been capable of open their eyes within the half court docket.
Once more, there’s not a lot to remove from a preseason sport during which every group approached the drill in a different way, however there can be a lot on tape that they will not be enthusiastic about.
Cole Swider began robust
Cole Swider figured one of the best ways to make his case for the ultimate roster spot could be to make 3s and be the form of movement shooter that matches the Pacers’ wants. That is true, and he confirmed constructive indicators in that division, hitting a pair of 3-pointers on Tuesday.
However that may be sufficient for him to fend off Kendall Brown, who threw two interceptions in Tuesday’s sport. Swider wants to supply a minimum of a bit extra and the six rebounds he grabbed had been a reasonably good begin. He additionally made a mid-range jumper and positioned a bucket close to the rim, exhibiting he has an offensive sport outdoors of the 3-ball. Something he might present would assist, particularly since Carlisle has indicated he is additionally contemplating two-way contract gamers for the ultimate spot. Quenton Jackson arguably had the very best efficiency of anybody on the underside of the bench whenever you mix Fan Jam and the primary preseason sport, and Swider wants to make use of his measurement to his benefit to show he deserves the spot.
This text was initially revealed on the Indianapolis Star: Pacers: 5 observations from the preseason loss to the Hawks
