5 Sneaky Lineups the Indiana Pacers Can Use

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No team in the NBA was more consistent with their starting lineup last year than the Indiana Pacers. They only used five different starting fives last year, and of their 66 regular-season games, they trotted out the same lineup 54 times. They have one of the best starting units in the league, but certain situations call for certain players to be on the floor.

Whether it's to help the offense or the defense, changes must be made late in games. Indiana is a team that has many versatile players that can play multiple positions on the floor. This flexibility comes in handy when facing opponents who don't have the same type of options. Outside of the original starting five, here are five different lineups we could see this season.

Going Big

Roy Hibbert
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PG: Paul George

SG: Danny Granger

SF: David West

PF: Ian Mahinmi

C: Roy Hibbert

If bigger guards like backing smaller defenders down into the post, good luck doing that against Paul and Danny. That could give them an advantage on the offensive end as well. Having the big bodies of Mahinmi and Hibbert in the paint will keep defenders out, and enable Indiana to rebound.

Some Small Ball

Lance Stephenson

PG: D.J. Augustin

SG: Lance Stephenson

SF: George Hill

PF: Danny Granger

C: Tyler Hansbrough

Putting Hill at the small forward spot will enable the Pacers to execute the full-court press. Granger has played the power forward position many times, so he should be comfortable with the change.

Hansbrough is quick for his size and can play decent perimeter defense on other bigs.

3-Point Shooters

George Hill

PG: D.J. Augustin

SG: George Hill

SF: Gerald Green

PF: Paul George

C: Danny Granger

Augustin and Hill are more natural shooters anyway, so they fit right in. Putting Paul and Danny at the 4 and 5 spots should give them some room to create their own shot. The only other viable option is putting Green at small forward. He isn't a good three-point shooter by any means, but he's the best available option left on the roster.

Free-Throw Shooting

David West
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PG: D.J. Augustin

SG: George Hill

SF: Danny Granger

PF: David West

C: Tyler Hansbrough

Augustin is an elite free-throw shooter, West is always good come crunch time and Hill has shown he can hit free throws when they matter the most. 

Tyler is always working on his craft, and he's been to the charity stripe often as a result of getting knocked around during his days at North Carolina.

Gotta Have the Rebound

Ian Mahinmi

PG: Paul George

SG: Danny Granger

SF: Tyler Hansbrough

PF: Ian Mahinmi

C: Roy Hibbert

Indiana is on defense, trailing by one with 30 seconds left. The best lineup for securing this all important rebound starts with Paul's lanky 6'10" frame at point guard. Danny can use his size at the 2-spot, and of course Hansbrough at small forward. Mahinmi and Hibbert will control the paint and grab the miss. Funny thing is, out of these five guys going for the rebound, I'm putting my money on Tyler.