Indiana Pacers face Toronto Raptors while trying to avoid dubious team mark
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Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard drives to the basket against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
INDIANAPOLIS – Even after a National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals appearance, the Indiana Pacers knew they would take a step back this season after the loss of leader Tyrese Haliburton.
Three weeks into the season, the decline in team play has been striking.
Entering their game against the Toronto Raptors on Nov 15 (Nov 16 morning, Singapore time) in Indianapolis, the 1-11 Pacers are a loss away from the worst 13-game start to a season in franchise history. The 1988-89 team started the season with a 1-11 record before winning their 13th game.
Compounding Haliburton’s torn Achilles in the Game 7 Finals loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the injury-hit Pacers are without Obi Toppin (foot) until at least February, while Bennedict Mathurin – who averaged 31 points in their first two games – has not played since Oct 25 with a toe injury.
Things went from bad to worse in Indiana’s 133-98 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Nov 13, as Aaron Nesmith exited with a knee injury and is expected to miss time.
“It hurts,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said of Nesmith’s impending absence.
“He’s a top player on the team and it’s going to affect us. We’ve got some things to figure out, and we’ll figure them out. We’ve got to stay in a highly competitive mode. NBA games are difficult. They’re physical. Everybody’s amped up the physicality and pressure and we’re going to need to do the same.”
Veterans Pascal Siakam (24.1 points per game) and Andrew Nembhard (17.2 points, 6.8 assists) are among the few healthy contributors from the reigning Eastern Conference champions. The Pacers return home after a four-game road trip that saw them lose by an average of 26.8 points per game.
“We’ve just got to stay in process mode,” Carlisle added. “The season is very long. There’s an awfully long way to go. This has been a tough trip, but we’ve got to get regrouped at home and figure out Toronto.”
The Raptors (7-5) enter with six victories in their last seven games. They have won three of four to begin a five-game road trip that ends on Nov 15, most recently earning a 126-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov 13.
Scottie Barnes has continued to emerge as a team leader, averaging 20.2 points and 7.6 rebounds, while shooting 50 per cent from the field and 44.4 per cent on three-point attempts. “It’s easy to identify that he had a good game, but he does so much more for us defensively,” Toronto coach Darko Rajakovic said of Barnes.
“The deflections that he’s creating, his rotations, how he’s covering for us defensively, he’s doing an outstanding job. I think Scottie Barnes definitely deserves to be in consideration for Defensive Player of the Year early in this season.”
Meanwhile in Nov 14 action, Stephen Curry capped a season-best, 49-point performance by sinking the game-winning free throws in the final seconds as the visiting Golden State Warriors outlasted the San Antonio Spurs 109-108 in an NBA Cup clash.
Luka Doncic scored 24 points with 12 assists and Austin Reaves added 31 points with seven assists, as the Los Angeles Lakers earned a 118-104 road victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Kevin Durant scored a game-high 30 points and Alperen Sengun flirted with a triple-double (25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists) in the Houston Rockets’ 140-116 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers. REUTERS
