Pacers’ slide keeps getting worse
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Correspondent
INDIANAPOLIS — Despite all of the struggles of late, this week was a golden opportunity for the Pacers to get the “Gold Swagger” back, and reclaim their stamp on the top spot in the Eastern Conference. They were scheduled to face Atlanta at home, Milwaukee on the road and then Miami in another showdown on Friday. Win all three games, and the top spot would be theirs.
Instead, the Pacers came out flat and scored the lowest first-half point total in franchise history. They headed into halftime with a 55-23 deficit in their second-to-last home game of the season. Frank Vogel pulled every starter six minutes into the game, but the second unit couldn’t bring a spark, either.
It didn’t help that Atlanta had one of its hottest shooting nights of the season. The Hawks connected on 12-of-27 from 3 for the game, playing for their playoff lives.
Vogel considered giving Roy Hibbert the entire night off, noting that he has looked “worn down” of late. After a slow start, Hibbert was benched from the middle of the second quarter until the end of the game. It was the first time since 2009 that Hibbert failed to record a point or a rebound in a game.
The Pacers put together a much better second half, scoring 65 points. It wasn’t enough, however, as the Atlanta Hawks won by a score of 107-88.
After the game, it was a surprisingly upbeat Pacers locker room.
“We are not in panic mode,” David West said. “Four games left until the real basketball begins.”
Paul George added: “There’s no panic in this locker room. All it takes is one or two games to get back in a groove for the playoffs.”
The team remains confident that this group can get it done come playoff time. Multiple players also reiterated that chemistry is not an issue.
“Playoffs are when teams show how together they really are,” George said.
George Hill also commented on the team chemistry: “It’s not an issue. Every guy in this locker room loves each other.”
What about the people claiming chemistry is a big problem right now?
“They’re not in this locker room,” West said. “That’s a bad assessment.”
With only four games remaining, the No. 1 seed continues to slip away. Even the home dominance has disappeared with two straight losses at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The fans may be panicked, but the players remain confident.
Who is correct? One thing is for sure: We’ll know soon enough.
Follow Tyler Smith on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sports_TYs_20.
