After a win over the Pistons on Dec. 12, the Pacers have gone on a four-game losing streak!
However, the opponents in these four games, except for the Wizards, who are relatively poor, the strength of the other three teams is quite strong, the Bucks, Timberwolves, and Clippers, the strength of these three teams is far above them.
But even so, the Pacers' own problems still have to be taken seriously. The team has played an extremely good offensive game this season, but they have really played pretty badly on the defensive end!
Defensive rebounding is second to last in the league and third in the league in defensive efficiency!
A serious offensive and defensive imbalance doomed the Pacers to go hard this season!
In today's game against the Hornets, the Pacers gave everyone another ultimate offensive feast!
In the first quarter of the game, the two sides played for nearly two minutes without scoring, until the game reached 10:09, Bridges on the Hornets side broke through and hit a layup to score 2 points.
Turner, on the Pacers' side, immediately responded with a three-pointer, and the two sides started the battle with a 3-2 lead
The two teams then battled each other, and with a minute left in the game, the Pacers took an eight-point lead.
However, the Hornets then went on a 7-1 offensive surge, and at the end of the first quarter, the Pacers led the Hornets 31-29!
In the second quarter of the game, the Pacers stepped up their offensive firepower
The two teams went back and forth in the first two minutes of the game, and with 10 minutes to go, the Pacers led the Hornets by three points at 39-36.
The Pacers continued to extend the score, but the Hornets were always able to catch up.
With just two minutes left in the game, Haliburton's pull-up jumper extended the margin to six points.
Toppin's scoring streak continued to extend the Pacers' lead, and by the end of the second quarter, the Pacers had taken an 11-point lead
In the second half of the game, the Pacers always suppressed the Hornets
In the third quarter, the Pacers scored 36 points and the Hornets scored 26 points
In the fourth quarter, the Pacers scored 37 points and the Hornets scored 27 points
By the start of the fourth quarter, the Pacers had extended their lead to 24 points.
The huge lead allowed them to play with ease, especially on the offensive end, which was the Pacers' best game of the season, and the Pacers eventually beat the Hornets 144-113
In terms of stats, the Hornets have five players in double figures
Rozier recorded a quasi-triple-double of 25 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
Miller chipped in 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.
Bridges chipped in 19 points, Hayward chipped in 11 and substitute Washington chipped in 12
Other than that, no player from the team scored in double figures. The Hornets played well today, but against the Pacers, who have the league's No. 1 offensive efficiency, they couldn't limit their opponents well on the defensive end.
In addition, the Hornets did have a big problem after the three-goal injury, and hopefully the team can get back on track after the three-goal return!
On the Pacers' side, today is another happy day for everyone
Haliburton contributed 19 points, 3 rebounds and 13 assists today, although there were 4 turnovers, but this did not affect his overall performance, in the case of a big explosion of form, Haliburton did play quite well.
Hield scored 25 points, Turner contributed 18, Mathurine off the bench scored 14, Nesmith scored 19 and Jackson and Smith contributed 10 each.
All of them are in good shape, but for the Pacers, winning the Hornets is not something to celebrate, and the team's biggest trouble this season is defense.
In the four games they lost, the Pacers played well enough on the offensive end, but they were still targeted by their opponents on the defensive end.
So the next thing the Pacers need to adjust is their own defensive problems, if their defense can go to the next level, the team can definitely become the biggest dark horse in the East this season!
Fans and friends, do you think the Pacers' defense can be improved?Welcome to discuss!