Game Thread 01/06: Pacers vs. Raptors

[Pacers_Freak]

I think the problem this game was with the 2nd unit?

The Raptors surged ahead late in the 2nd quarter when the starters were resting, it seemed

With Sabonis in the starting lineup, there is no reliable play maker in the 2nd unit, and no one in the 2nd unit is good at creating on their own either

I'd say defense by both units. Can't give up a 70 burger in the 1st half. Couldn't keep them in front of us. No Myles to protect the paint. Forced us to sag and help and left them with open 3s. Myles makes a big difference on the defensive end for this team.

[HankMoody69]

I'd say defense by both units. Can't give up a 70 burger in the 1st half. Couldn't keep them in front of us. No Myles to protect the paint. Forced us to sag and help and left them with open 3s. Myles makes a big difference on the defensive end for this team.

It doesn't matter if Sabonis or Turner are playing, Pacers have the same defensive system - > protect the paint first and foremost, sag from 3pt and help if it's needed. If you check the stats, opponents 3pt attempted numbers were the same in this game as all the season. I'm talking about open and wide open 3pt shot attempts:

This season Pacers defence is giving 13 open 3pt shot attemps to their opponents. They're making 4.4 3pt on average (33.5%)
This season Pacers defence is giving 15.1 wide open 3pt attemps to their opponents. They're making 6.0 3pt on average (39.7%)

Now let's look at the game against Raptors. They had 15 open and 14 wide open 3pt shot attemps, made respectively 7 and 6 on 46.7% and 64.3%.

So we have the same amount of open/wide open 3's, the main difference are the percentages. Raptors players were red hot from beyond the arc. It's doesn't matter which C is playing, other team will have a chance to shoot the same number of open/wide open 3's on average. This is risky defensive plan, but so far it usually works. Knowing that Pacers players don't shoot that many 3's in comparison with other teams, Pacers will lose almost every game, when opponent team will shoot 3's on the same percentages as Raptors.

[Scoot McGroot]

I'd say defense by both units. Can't give up a 70 burger in the 1st half. Couldn't keep them in front of us. No Myles to protect the paint. Forced us to sag and help and left them with open 3s. Myles makes a big difference on the defensive end for this team.

It doesn't matter if Sabonis or Turner are playing, Pacers have the same defensive system - > protect the paint first and foremost, sag from 3pt and help if it's needed. If you check the stats, opponents 3pt attempted numbers were the same in this game as all the season. I'm talking about open and wide open 3pt shot attempts:

This season Pacers defence is giving 13 open 3pt shot attemps to their opponents. They're making 4.4 3pt on average (33.5%)
This season Pacers defence is giving 15.1 wide open 3pt attemps to their opponents. They're making 6.0 3pt on average (39.7%)

Now let's look at the game against Raptors. They had 15 open and 14 wide open 3pt shot attemps, made respectively 7 and 6 on 46.7% and 64.3%.

So we have the same amount of open/wide open 3's, the main difference are the percentages. Raptors players were red hot from beyond the arc. It's doesn't matter which C is playing, other team will have a chance to shoot the same number of open/wide open 3's on average. This is risky defensive plan, but so far it usually works. Knowing that Pacers players don't shoot that many 3's in comparison with other teams, Pacers will lose almost every game, when opponent team will shoot 3's on the same percentages as Raptors.

Mostly, yes. However, especially of lately (ponytail Myles era, if you will), Myles has been immensely better in that "same" defensive system than Sabonis. He's also been able to switch on the perimeter much better than Dom does. Sure, Toronto was red hot and there's only so much that can affect red hot, but I think Myles increased abilities and focus on switches and the perimeter would have greatly helped that too, and at least allowed us to minimize the "wide open" attempts, and challenge the rest.

[basketballwacko2]

Watching that game brought my Tourette Syndrome back full on bad as ever.

The difference was Myles being out and not having his shot blocking/Changing in the lane and the scrub of the night Norman Powell getting 4 times his scoring average.

[pacers33granger]

Guys like FVV and Powell are worth giving up threes to, but when it's Lowry and Green it's bad strategy. Both of those guys are top 20 three point shooters at worst.

[Pacers_Freak]

I'd say defense by both units. Can't give up a 70 burger in the 1st half. Couldn't keep them in front of us. No Myles to protect the paint. Forced us to sag and help and left them with open 3s. Myles makes a big difference on the defensive end for this team.

It doesn't matter if Sabonis or Turner are playing, Pacers have the same defensive system - > protect the paint first and foremost, sag from 3pt and help if it's needed. If you check the stats, opponents 3pt attempted numbers were the same in this game as all the season. I'm talking about open and wide open 3pt shot attempts:

This season Pacers defence is giving 13 open 3pt shot attemps to their opponents. They're making 4.4 3pt on average (33.5%)
This season Pacers defence is giving 15.1 wide open 3pt attemps to their opponents. They're making 6.0 3pt on average (39.7%)

Now let's look at the game against Raptors. They had 15 open and 14 wide open 3pt shot attemps, made respectively 7 and 6 on 46.7% and 64.3%.

So we have the same amount of open/wide open 3's, the main difference are the percentages. Raptors players were red hot from beyond the arc. It's doesn't matter which C is playing, other team will have a chance to shoot the same number of open/wide open 3's on average. This is risky defensive plan, but so far it usually works. Knowing that Pacers players don't shoot that many 3's in comparison with other teams, Pacers will lose almost every game, when opponent team will shoot 3's on the same percentages as Raptors.

It is not a knock on Domas. But, Myles is one of the elite rim protectors in the league. When you have an elite rim protector you are less likely to sag and help. Thus, being closer to contest 3s. Domas does a ton of things brilliantly.... protecting the rim is not his strong suit.