Pacers improve to 6-3 as Mathurin shines
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — Pacer fans, you can exhale. After the embarrassing loss in Boston on November 1st, the hot takes and overreactions were in full force from the fan base. A lot can change in a week. Since that game? The Pacers are 4-1, with a few impressive wins, and the only loss coming by one point in a game full of questionable calls. The Pacers are 6-3 and currently boast the league’s best offense. Allow yourself to enjoy this team, and this season.
Speaking of overreactions… many fans have been vocal about Bennedict Mathurin’s lack of production on the young season. His defense was non-existent, he was trying to do too much at times on offense, and the big second-year leap many had hoped for wasn’t looking too promising. But this kid has way too much talent and way too good of a work ethic to stay down for long. Mathurin responded with an impressive two games against Utah and Milwaukee, averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists during the back-to-back.
One night after saying it was “the best game of Mathurin’s career,” Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle said Thursday’s game was “Almost a mirror image. The numbers are similar.” Carlisle continued: “Ben Mathurin is taking significant strides each game now. He’s starting to really understand what it means to have the responsibility to be one of the guys we rely on to score, and defensively. I’m really proud of him. This transition is not easy.”
Tyrese Haliburton has continued his pursuit of stardom, putting up video game numbers so far this season, averaging 23.6 points and 11.6 assists, all while his shooting splits currently sit at 50/40/94. After the win over Milwaukee, I asked Haliburton about playing five games in seven nights. The Pacers star said “We feel like we should be 8-1 right now. But we like where we’re at.”
The 6-3 start is a great sign. The fact they could be 8-1 is encouraging. Just be prepared for the marathon that is the NBA season. There’s still a good chance this year will be a roller coaster full of ups and downs. Let’s ride the wave and enjoy it. This team’s offense is elite. This team’s second unit leads the NBA. And this team is a blast to watch every night. There’s still a lot of work to be done on the defensive end. There will still be some growing pains for a young team. But I do think one thing is clear: This team can play, and they’re on the rise.
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