If beating the Miami Heat by one point at home qualifies as overcoming recent struggles, then the Indiana Pacers are in good shape.
But if hurdling this latest obstacle means they’ve automatically transformed into fully operational world-beaters again, then no—the Pacers have not resolved their hardwood-related issues of late.
With that being the case, can they do so in time for the playoffs?
The Pacers were a dominant 40-12 at the all-star break. They have since amassed a 12-8 record over their past 20 games.
While satisfactory to most teams in the East, such a mark is wholly unacceptable to a conference leader that rocked the NBA’s best record for most of the season.
Even worse is the Pacers’ .533 winning percentage (8-7) in March. Sitting just one game past the break-even point is a stark contrast to the 31 games above .500 that Frank Vogel’s club boasted before the month began.
And before that auspicious result materialized versus the defending champs—a game in which the Heat blew more than Indiana won—the Pacers were exploitatively mediocre.
They took advantage of a 12th-place Boston Celtics team for two easy wins, while needing overtime against the incompatibly built Detroit Pistons. Their mere three-point win in friendly confines against the cellar-dwelling Utah Jazz also was less than inspiring.
Oh, and twice they fattened up on the 56-loss Philadelphia 76ers—yes, the same club that’s on the verge of setting NBA history in the worst possible way (25-straight losses and counting).
Earning a plus-12 over the increasingly indomitable Chicago Bulls would have stemmed the tide—if not for a 12-point loss to that same team three days later.
Allowing at least 105 points in three straight contests and scoring fewer than 80 in two others doesn’t quite shout bona fide title-contender either.
Yet, through it all, a simple solution remains.
Two words: Paul George.
The Association’s poor man’s LeBron James has been mostly poor up until recently holding his own versus the reigning MVP.
Out of 14 March games before Wednesday’s epic rematch, George registered a sub-30 shooting percentage on five separate nights, including four in a row. He also compiled a cringe-worthy 0-of-9 with just two total points and five turnovers against the Charlotte Bobcats during this extended lull.
He has most notably posted his lowest scoring averages of any month this year. This includes a 38.0 field goal percentage, 30.1 percent from downtown and 19.1 points per game.
An overall plus/minus of negative -3.8 and 42 turnovers greatly overshadow his statistical increases in rebounds, assists and blocks as well.
Indiana’s leader on both ends of the floor must reassert himself offensively.
He must delegate to his fellow lockdown defenders and channel his energies on the other end. A team defense that stands unrivaled in limiting opponents’ point totals (91.7 PPG) can survive until George regains his scoring touch.
The same cannot be said about an offense that puts up the eighth-fewest points on a nightly basis (97.6).
Yes, the Pacers need to play with more confidence and prove they can win on the road. Yes, they need to generate more consistent offensive rhythm and reignite their unmitigated tenacity on defense.
And yes, they must recoup their championship focus from the first half of 2013-2014.
But if this squad really covets the metallic feel of the Finals trophy in their collective mitts, George must shoulder the load.
He has 10 regular-season games to show the world that he’s capable, and another 28 in the playoffs to show they he will.
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