Three takeaways as Indiana Pacers look flat and slow in loss to Oklahoma City Thunder

With out Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers simply aren’t the identical group. That has been the case for the final week since Haliburton’s harm, and it remained the case tonight within the Pacers battle with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.

The Pacers seemed terrible for a lot of the night time. The sport began about as poorly because it probably may for the blue and gold with the Thunder leaping out to a 17-1 lead within the first 3:30 of the motion. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was pressured to make three substitutions early, and Oklahoma Metropolis by no means seemed again.

“The primary 5 minutes of the sport is crucial,” Thunder ahead Kenrich Williams mentioned after the sport on the Bally Sports activities Oklahoma broadcast. OKC led 19-6 after 5 minutes.

The remainder of the best way, the sport was roughly a good battle. However the Thunder had already set the tone, so it did not matter that the Pacers made some valiant runs. Oklahoma Metropolis had all of the management. A 17-4 second quarter run from the Pacers would have been extra spectacular had it modified the sport, however OKC maintained its lead and responded with a run of their very own, carrying a 14-point lead into halftime.

The Thunder then scored 42 factors within the third quarter to place the sport away. The Pacers protection seemed terrible for a lot of the night and watched as OKC tossed round 40 assists, which is tied for a franchise document.

The Pacers did not seem like themselves. Their beginning 5 had a tough night time, their transition play was nonexistent, and so they coughed up 23 turnovers. It is practically not possible to win that approach.

Regardless of a good recreation from Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, the Pacers could not get it accomplished. They fell 126-106 and have now misplaced 5 video games in a row, and they’re again to .500 at 23-23. They want a win, and so they want it quickly.

Their takeaways from this recreation relate to their big-picture play of late. The Pacers simply do not look proper.

The Pacers miss Tyrese Haliburton

Tyrese Haliburton would possibly simply be an All-Star this season, so in fact the Pacers will likely be worse with out him. However they’ve seemed downright depressing in his absence since he injured his elbow and knee final week towards the Knicks.

The Pacers at the moment are 1-5 with out Haliburton this season, and their offense appears markedly totally different with out him. They cannot run in transition as successfully, they wrestle to generate good threes, and their normal timing is worse. A lot of their id is gone with out their All-Star stage expertise.

They are going to be with out him for no less than one other week, so the Pacers want to seek out some options. Maybe they should decelerate a bit or change their momentary beginning lineup. Both approach, they miss Haliburton in a giant approach. Look no additional than their dropping streak since his harm.

Indiana has an issue giving up runs

One other challenge since Haliburton’s harm for the Pacers has been the flexibility to cease huge runs. It is costing them video games.

They gave up a 14-0 run towards Atlanta final Friday in a two-point loss. The following night time, Memphis had a stretch outscoring the Pacers 29-9 within the second quarter, and so they went on to win by 18. The Bucks had a 27-12 fourth quarter run on Monday earlier than beating the Pacers by 13, and now the Thunder began off this recreation up 17-1.

Each night time, the Pacers get in these funks that they cannot cease. “We’ve to be extra locked in and have a ‘subsequent play’ mentality and get again,” Pacers guard T.J. McConnell mentioned final week of slowing runs from opponents. The Pacers have to be persistently higher for 48 minutes in the event that they wish to get again to their successful methods.

Trevelin Queen was a vivid spot

A couple of Pacers gamers had first rate sufficient outings, however in comparison with their normal expectations one participant stood out: Trevelin Queen.

Queen is on a two-way contract and was making simply his fourth look of the season for the blue and gold. He had not reached 13 minutes performed in a recreation all season.

Tonight, he was spectacular. Queen completed with 13 factors (a season excessive), 9 rebounds (a profession excessive), one help, one steal, and three blocks (a profession excessive). He performed for over 23 minutes and was a +12. It was among the finest video games of the 25-year previous’s profession.

The Pacers might have him in upcoming video games in the event that they require juice on the wing, particularly as Haliburton stays sidelined. Maybe Queen may see extra taking part in time in upcoming outings.

The Pacers will look to finish their dropping streak in Denver on Friday once they tackle the Nuggets.

• Tyrese Haliburton suffers left knee bone contusion and left elbow sprain, will likely be out no less than two weeks for the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
• Report: Goga Bitadze is the ‘most probably’ Indiana Pacers huge man to be traded this season. CLICK HERE.
• Myles Turner has improved considerably this season. Simply ask his former teammates and coaches. CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers wing Chris Duarte breaks out of hunch vs Memphis Grizzlies: ‘I wanted it.’ CLICK HERE.
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