INDIANAPOLIS -- In a matter of week -- and three games -- the Indiana Pacers have gone from looking like they have a chance against the Toronto Raptors to now scrambling trying to figure out a way to match their opponent.
The talk around the Pacers organization is consistent: They need to a better of job of competing and getting back to doing the little things like diving to the floor for loose balls and rebounding.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel can only do so much. He can tell his players to play harder, but they're the ones who have to go out and do it.
“That’s exactly what it is, and that’s what playoff basketball is about,” Paul George said. “Everyone makes that commitment to do whatever it takes and do whatever is willing to help the team win. That’s the commitment we need from each individual on this team, starting with myself.”
One thing Vogel can definitely do is alter the starting lineup. The coach, in typical coach style, isn’t saying what his plans are for Saturday’s Game 4 against the Raptors. Toronto leads the series 2-1.
If a change does occur -- rookie Myles Turner likely replacing Lavoy Allen -- it wouldn’t be surprising because of how poor the frontcourt has played in the series minus George.
Allen, who moved into the starting lineup in place of Turner late in the season, is only averaging 2.0 points and 4.3 rebounds through the first three games of the series. Turner is the only Pacers rotation player who is shooting better than 50 percent from the field. He’s averaging 11.7 points on 61.5 percent shooting and 5.0 rebounds.
But inserting Turner simply isn’t going to turn things around for the Pacers.
Toronto continues to dominate the Pacers on the boards, outrebounding them by an average of 11 a game in the series.
“The defensive rebounding’s been a problem for us,” Vogel said. “Their centers and their cutters … just make sure we’re holding them to one shot. The first reaction to that is to bring more size, but the way they space you out, it makes it difficult to do that. We don’t want to give up even more containment issues that would lead to more glass issues even if we’re big. So it’s a pick-your-poison type thing. That’s the biggest thing we have to clean up on the defensive end.”
George, who struggled from the field (6-of-19) in Game 3, is averaging 28.7 points on 46 percent shooting in the series.
The rest of the starters?
They’ve combined to average 27.7 points on 38 percent shooting.
George pointed the finger at himself for not getting his other teammates better involved in the game Thursday.
“I don’t think I did a good enough job last game of trusting my teammates, allowing them to make plays, allowing them to be aggressive,” he said. “The last thing I want to do is be ball-dominant and not have guys around me feel comfortable enough to make plays. I think it’s on me to make sure they’re comfortable. I have to trust that they’re going to bring it.”