| The Gelling Process Begins Authored by Andrew Perna - November 17, 2009 - 5:26 pm
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After opening the 2009-10 season with three losses, during which they allowed 109 points per game, the Indiana Pacers have rattled off four consecutive victories.
Their first three wins came against fellow lottery clubs, but their most recent triumph came against a Boston Celtics team that at the very least will be a strong contender for a championship this season.
During their winning streak, the Pacers have limited opponents to 93.2 points per game while scoring almost at will. The most impressive, of course, was the season-high 113 points they scored against the usually impenetrable Celtics.
Boston has only allowed one other team to score more than 100 points this season; the Suns did so in a 110-103 win on Nov. 6.
Not surprisingly, Danny Granger has led the Pacers in scoring in six of their seven games, but it has been the supporting cast that has helped Indiana eclipse the .500 mark for the first time since Nov. 12, 2008, when they were also 4-3.
The Pacers have maintained their high-octane pace this season, averaging 97.5 possessions per 48 minutes (second in the league), but their defense has actually been stronger than their offense at times.
Indiana has an offensive rating of 103.9, which ranks 22nd, but a defensive rating of 102.6, which ranks 11th. Perhaps they have finally adjusted to the defensive nuisances that come along with keeping your foot on the gas.
Shockingly, the Pacers' win streak has come without Troy Murphy (who has missed four games with a lower back injury), Jeff Foster (five games, ankle/back) and Mike Dunleavy (knee). None of the three, who would be included in any discussion focused on Indiana’s core, have played in a victory this season.
There are three reasons, or rather players, that have allowed the Pacers to succeed despite a depleted roster.
Dahntay Jones
The Pacers signed Jones to a four-year deal this July with one thing in mind -- defense. While he did struggle to contain players in the first week of the season, his sudden burst of scoring has been a breath of fresh air. He’s averaging 16.4 points per game, more than double his career-high, and notched a season-high 25 points against the Celtics on Saturday night. He has also more than doubled his rebound and assist numbers from last season, during which he started 71 games for the Denver Nuggets.
I was a little surprised to hear Comcast SportsNet New England knock Jones following Indiana’s 113-104 win over Boston, but he has largely flown under the national radar. Donnie Marshall talked about the game as if Dahntay had never scored an NBA basket before, and opined “You know it’s a bad night when he scores 25 on you.”
In actuality, Jones has scored more than 17 points on four other occasions this season. His defense will remain paramount, but the scoring is a much-needed bonus with Dunleavy still out. His on/off numbers per 100 possessions is an incredible +20.7.
Roy Hibbert
The second-year center has been the most important cog in Indiana’s machine this season. He has emerged as a threat in the middle on both ends of the floor after struggling to stay in games last season because of foul trouble. Hibbert has lived up to his strong per 36 numbers from 2008-09, averaging 11.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.
He ranks third in the NBA in blocks, behind Josh Smith (2.55) and Brendan Haywood (2.44). He has served as a defensive deterrent in the post, something the Pacers haven’t had since Jermaine O’Neal was in his prime a handful of years ago.
Almost more impressive, has been his ability to anchor himself in the post and contend shots without drawing whistles on nearly every possession. He averaged 3.1 fouls in just 14.4 minutes per game last season, but his numbers have remained steady despite twice as much playing time. He hasn’t fouled out yet this season and has three double-doubles, the first of his career.
Hibbert has refined some of his post moves and is showing an improved stroke from the foul line. If he can remain on the floor, the Pacers have a strong shot to hang in the playoff picture longer than most expected.
Tyler Hansbrough
Hansbrough has played in just three games due to a lingering shin injury, but has made an impact in limited time. Indiana is holding him to 16 minutes per game, but his averages of 10.3 points and 4.7 rebounds indicate that he has carried his high-energy play over to the professional game.
His per 36 numbers are eye-popping, 25.4 points and 11.5 rebounds, but seem irrelevant for two reasons – he won’t get that much time for quite a while, if ever, and it would be nearly impossible for him to maintain his frenetic pace with starter’s minutes.
Even if his strong production off the bench doesn’t stick, I already appear wrong for viewing him as a very late-first round selection. He isn’t going to score 20 points with an array of jump shots, poetic drives to the hoop or overpowering dunks, but he’ll put his hard hat on and give his all each second he’s on the floor. Hansbrough has also shown a knack for being in the right place at the right time, which isn’t something that can be said about some of his teammates.
The tide could turn quickly for the Pacers once again, but this scrappy, young team has been fun to watch.
Andrew Perna is Deputy Editor of RealGM.com and co-host of RealGM's Radio Show. Please feel free to contact him with comments or questions via e-mail: Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com. You can also follow Andrew on Twitter: APerna7.
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