Most Startling Statistics of the Indiana Pacers' Season so Far
Nobody would have expected a decimated 5-7 Indiana Pacers squad to produce some startling statistics this season.
But they have.
Nonetheless, a team that is missing Paul George, David West, George Hill, C.J. Watson, Rodney Stuckey and C.J. Miles has won four of its last five games.
The fact that the Pacers are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and only two games back of the fourth-place Milwaukee Bucks (as of Nov. 20) is startling in itself.
If the Pacers can win more games and pull of a few more surprises (such as winning on the road against the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls), they are sure to turn more heads in their direction as the season wears on.
A.J. Price's 12.0 PPG Average
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Let's start with the most obvious: A.J. Price has exceeded all expectations as the Indiana Pacers' backup point guard.
He is on the verge of doubling his previous career-high scoring average of 7.7 with the Washington Wizards two seasons ago. He is chipping in with 12.0 points off the bench, which is more than the 8.9 points that C.J. Watson (6.6 PPG) and Donald Sloan (2.3 PPG) contributed as George Hill's backups in 2013-14.
Still not convinced of Price's value?
According to ESPN, he has the team's highest player efficiency rating with 22.7 through Nov. 18. That's even higher than two-time All-Star center Roy Hibbert, who has been a steady force down low for Indy.
Sloan also deserves mention for his 12.6 points-per-game average, but it's Price who has given the team the biggest lift in its recent mini-surge.
The sad thing is Price may not be around too long, as the Pacers already have 15 players on their roster. The good news is he gets to play in at least three more games, as Indiana got another roster exemption on Monday, per Pacers.com's Mark Montieth:
"He also knows the harsh reality of his situation. To keep him, the Pacers would have to execute a trade that reduces their roster size or release someone else when injured players return. The league's roster exemption requires at least four players to be out for an extended time, and that's likely to change next week, when (David) West and perhaps Watson return.
So, coach Frank Vogel as much as he loves Price's competitiveness and basketball IQ, isn't counting on having him around much longer.
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If Price does go, it's been a great ride. The Pacers can only hope the momentum of their recent success carries over into their next games without him. He should be on the team's radar as a backup point guard next season.
Solomon Hill Averaging Almost 15 Points in November
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From a 1.7 points-per-game scorer during his rookie season to a vital cog in the Indiana Pacers offense in 2013-14.
That's how Solomon Hill's NBA career has gone so far.
Hill, who is averaging 14.6 points per game in November, has been the complete package. He can knock down the three-pointer, drive fearlessly to the basket, rebound and defend the opposing team's best wing scorer.
If he can improve his post-up game and his consistency (he shot just 6-of-28 from the field in two games prior to his 21-point outing against the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 15), he will be an even bigger force to be reckoned with.
For his part, Pacers.com's Mark Montieth wonders at the thought of the improved Hill and franchise player Paul George joining forces in his Nov. 9 blog:
"The point is that Hill kept churning and that he's finding as many ways to contribute as George does. He lacks George's superior athleticism, but he's close. And if you allow yourself to think long-term amid the current deluge, it's intriguing to think of him either playing with George or backing him up.
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Hill continues to impress. His latest eye-catching feat was his back-to-the basket putback at the buzzer against Lance Stephenson and the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 19.
Hill's rapid rise bodes well for the Pacers' long-term future and his aspirations to be a candidate for the Most Improved Player award.
Pacers in Top 5 in Both Rebounding and Defense
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In recent years, the Indiana Pacers have been known to dominate on the boards and on defense.
Despite having six injured players, Indy has maintained its swagger in those two key statistical areas. The team is second overall in rebounds (46.3 per game) and fifth in points allowed (93.6 per game) through Nov. 19.
This is nothing short of remarkable when you consider that key injured starters George Hill, Paul George, C.J. Miles and David West have the likes of Donald Sloan, Solomon Hill, Chris Copeland and Luis Scola filling in for them. All the credit in the world has to go to head coach Frank Vogel and his staff.
Lavoy Allen has led the way off the bench. Aside from his 15-rebound performance against the Utah Jazz on Nov. 10, who would have thought he would be fifth in the league in offensive rebounding (3.3 per game as of Nov. 19)? All things considered, he has shown he could be another Antonio Davis with his tenacity on the boards.
Even Copeland, whose rebounding has never been his strong suit, has gotten in on the act. He's more than doubled his previous career high with his current 4.9 rebounds-per-game average.
Long story short, Vogel has gotten the most out of a decimated crew. He has the Pacers playing hard, and they've responded in a big way.
If only this trend can continue all season long.
Indiana in Bottom 5 in Offense and Assists
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In terms of defense and rebounding, the Indiana Pacers have been exceptional.
However, when it comes to offense and assists, they are just as abysmal. This has been the trend in recent seasons. With a slew of players sitting out due to various injuries, this was to be expected.
As of Nov. 18, Indiana is just 27th in the NBA in total offense with a 91.9 points-per-game average. Some teams, such as the Detroit Pistons of the late 1980s, win ugly. They make you look bad on offense and can win a game even if they score 80 points or fewer on any given night.
In the case of the 2014-15 Indiana Pacers, a lack of offensive production is one of the reasons why they're a surprising 5-7. You're not expected to win too many games if your leading scorer, Chris Copeland, is averaging just 14.2 points per contest. Copeland needs all the help he can get, and guys such as David West and C.J. Watson can't come back soon enough.
And there is the issue of playmaking.
Jon Washburn of 8points9seconds.com pointed out after the Pacers' 81-75 road win over the Miami Heat on Nov. 12 that Indy's current rag-tag lineup boasts only two guards:
"With so many players hurt, they should lose nearly every game they play. Just look at the ESPN box score from last night. Don't look at the numbers but at the positions. Of the nine players who saw the court, ESPN lists seven of them as forwards or centers. Only Sloan and Price are guards.
So the Pacers played two guards in an NBA game—two guards who weren't supposed to be rotation players on any team in this league on opening night—and won the road against their heated rivals.
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The result? Indiana is dead last in the NBA in assists at just 17.7 per game. The Pacers can only do two things at this point: hope that their key players return sooner than later and play to their strengths (defense and rebounding) in order to win as many games as possible.
Indy's 33 Percent Shooting from 5-9 Feet
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A huge reason why the Indiana Pacers continue to struggle on offense is their performance in the shaded area.
As of Nov. 20, the Pacers are shooting just 32.5 percent from a distance of five to nine feet from the basket, per NBA.com. In contrast, they are shooting 39.4 percent from 20-24 feet out.
Really strange.
In terms of overall shooting percentage, Indy's bigs—Roy Hibbert (47 percent), Luis Scola (53 percent), Lavoy Allen (48 percent) and Ian Mahinmi (64 percent)—have all been steady. It's the rest of the team that seems to be having problems in the paint.
For instance, Sloan has a tendency to get his shot stuffed, while Chris Copeland and Solomon Hill have a propensity for hoisting up some questionable shots.
The bottom line is this: If the Pacers knock down more shots in the shaded area, they'll be an even more competitive squad. It all boils down to better judgment and execution. Let's hope they improve on this facet as the season progresses.
Pacers Shooting Better from the Free-Throw Line on the Road Than at Home
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The ghost of Dale Davis must be lurking somewhere nearby.
That's because the Indiana Pacers' shooting from the free-throw line leaves much to be desired in 2014-15. As a team, Indy is shooting just 73.4 percent from the stripe through Nov. 20 (good for just 22nd in the NBA).
But that's not the most galling statistic as far as free throws are concerned. Actually, there are two.
First, the Pacers are shooting better—much better—from the line on the road than they are at home. They are shooting 83 percent away from Bankers Life Fieldhouse as opposed to just 66.4 percent in the friendly confines of their own arena, per NBA Stats.
Wow. Just wow.
The other eye-popping (and unexpected) free-throw stat is power forward Luis Scola's shooting clip: 47 percent through the Pacers' first 12 games.
Forty-seven percent. From the free-throw line.
Scola's previous career low was 66.8 percent during his rookie season in 2007-08 with the Houston Rockets. The Argentine forward has actually been doing well as a starter (18.0 PPG in the last two games on a 76 percent clip from the floor). It's just that he can't get it done at the line.
The simple takeaway is for Scola and the Pacers to get their act together from the charity stripe, lest they give away close contests because of poor free-throw shooting.
Maybe Uncle Reggie can help.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are current as of Nov. 20 and are courtesy of ESPN.com.
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