Remember when I told you things were going to get worse before they got better? Well, here we are…
The Pacers dropped their eighth straight game on Wednesday, falling 127-112 in Detroit. It was their sixth consecutive loss by 15 points or more. They’ve opened games well, but the fall-off is steep — and by the fourth quarter, the result has usually been decided.
The defeat pushed them to a league-worst 1–13 — the worst start in franchise history.
With a significant portion of the roster sidelined, and several key players out, everyone has been asked to do more. That goes for the coaching staff, the starters, and the newcomers who weren’t even with the team in training camp. Some, like Pascal Siakam, continue to handle their responsibilities at a high level despite the workload. Others have struggled.
The lack of lineup continuity hasn’t helped. Against a red-hot Detroit team, Indiana used its 10th different starting lineup in just 14 games — then endured a sharp bench drop-off.
The final score isn’t the primary concern. The pattern is. Specifically, the self-inflicted mistakes and stretches of lost focus that leave the Pacers playing uphill — and repeatedly called for excessive timeouts.
Giving up 30 paint points in the third quarter alone to Toronto is unacceptable. So is being outscored 78-38 in the paint. Turning it over 21 times for 30 Pistons points is equally damaging.
Their offensive woes are obvious — 30th in field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage, 29th in assists — but this team is better than this.
Transition defense, paint protection, and basic execution remain the most glaring issues. The missed shots make for tough viewing, but watching Raptors reserve Gradey Dick score three consecutive transition layups illustrates the bigger problem.
“We got to do better, really in all areas,” head coach Rick Carlisle said after Monday’s loss
One positive: Bennedict Mathurin returned Monday after missing three weeks with a right great big toe sprain. He’s one of their most dynamic scorers — a player who should average 20-plus points — and they’re parched for any kind of offensive production.
Siakam led the Pacers with 29 points, while Mathurin added 25 on 7-of-16 shooting. Fourteen of his points came in the fourth quarter, though Detroit guard Daniss Jenkins matched the damage on the other end with 13 of his 26 in the period.
Also, Mathurin’s injury came through the game OK. He’s not on the team’s injury report — now down to six players — for Wednesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Other Notes
- You may not have noticed how Cody Martin is no longer on the team. His 10-day contract (via hardship exception) expired on Nov. 14 after the team returned from their trip out west. They do not currently qualify for another — not until after Wednesday, after Aaron Nesmith misses his third straight game.
- Boom head coach Tom Hankins became a grandfather last week.
- I don’t understand Knicks guard Josh Hart’s disdain for Indy — both the city and pro basketball team. He talked negatively about the city before, and then doubled down on the latest episode of his podcast co-hosted with Jalen Brunson. Joakim Noah was a guest on the “Roommates Show” and asked: “Are there any teams out there that you look at and say, ‘Fuck those guys, those are our rivals?’” Without hesitation, Hart replied: “Indiana. I hate Indiana.” … Two straight playoff exits to the Pacers will do that.
- The injury bug isn’t unique to Indiana — just more severe here. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been diagnosed with a low-grade left groin strain and will miss a few weeks, Charania reported.
- I made my weekly appearance on “Query & Company” — this time with Greg Rakestraw guest hosting. You can listen to it here (1:30:43 mark).
Scott Agness is the longest-tenured Pacers beat reporter. He enters his 14th season covering the team and he's been around The Fieldhouse since 2003. He runs Fieldhouse Files — covering the Pacers, Boom, and Fever — and hosts "The Fieldhouse Files Podcast."