Breaking down the Pacers 3-point shooting
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — Three-point shooting was one of the question marks for the Indiana Pacers coming into the season. They lost Paul George, C.J. Miles, and Jeff Teague, while adding Oladipo (career high 36% from three before this season), Bojan Bogdanovic, and Darren Collison.
Thus far, they’ve turned a concern into a strength. The Pacers are fifth in the NBA from behind the arc, shooting 37.4% for the season.
Despite the high percentage, the Pacers attempt the 25th most 3’s per game (24.7), which leads me to this question: Should they be shooting more of them?
After some abysmal performances from three in the last few weeks, some fans might already be skeptical. But what do the overall numbers say?
Indiana’s success has been linked more to their percentage instead of their attempts. In wins, the Pacers shoot over 43% from deep, and in losses, they shoot just over 30%. But consider this statistic- The Pacers are 19-5 on the season when connecting on 10 or more 3’s in a game. Adding that stat to their high percentage for the season leads me to believe they would benefit from more 3-point attempts.
Look at some of the best teams in the NBA and their 3-point attempts per game:
-Houston (43.2 per game)
-Cavs (32.6 per game)
-Raptors (31.8 per game)
-Celtics (31.6 per game)
-Warriors (29.8 per game)
There are of course some exceptions. The Brooklyn Nets are 2nd in the NBA in 3-point attempts, while the San Antonio Spurs take the 26th most. But for the most part, the teams that take more 3’s find more success. In the top half of the league, only two teams shoot less 3-point attempts than the Pacers.
This also isn’t anything new. Former ISL writer Chris Goff wrote this in his 2012 Pacers preview:
“A number of fans persist in believing the myth that launching a lot of 3s is bad offense. In fact, just the opposite is true. Consider: In 2010-11, seven of the top 10 teams in points per possession finished in the top eight in 3-point attempts. In 2009-10, Orlando and Phoenix, Nos. 1 and 2 in points per possession, finished first and sixth in 3-point tries. Best four teams in points per possession in 2007-08? All among the eight most 3-point happy clubs. In 2006-07, seven of the top 10 in points per possession were also in the top 11 in 3-point attempts. Four of the NBA’s five best offenses in 2005-06 finished in the top 10 in 3-point attempts. Three of the five best offenses in 2003-04 finished in the top five in launching 3s. In short, there’s plenty of evidence that taking a lot of 3s is a successful strategy for an NBA offense.”
The Pacers are hoping to get a boost when Glenn Robinson III comes back. He shot 39% from behind the arc last season.
They’ve also been impacted by the injuries to Myles Turner, missing several games on two different occasions. Turner helps space the floor to free up shooters, in addition to his own ability to knock down shots.
When Turner plays, the Pacers shoot 38% from deep, on 25.4 attempts per game.
When Turner sits, the Pacers shoot 36% from deep, on 23 attempts per game.
You could argue that the Pacers shoot a high percentage because they don’t take a crazy amount, and you might be right. But especially when Turner and GR3 get back in the mix, I’d like to see how good this team could be with some more Boom Baby’s.
