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Pacers are Better with Glenn Robinson III in Starting Lineup

By Kyle Nishida

Nov 21, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Glenn Robinson III (40) is fouled by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Golden State beat Indiana 120-83. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Glenn Robinson III (40) is fouled by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Golden State beat Indiana 120-83. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indiana Pacers are currently on a two-game winning streak, and they have been playing better basketball of late. One of the reasons for this has been the emergence of Glenn Robinson III.

Monday, Robinson III replaced Monta Ellis as the starting shooting guard. Ellis suffered a groin injury against the Portland Trail Blazers. As a result, head coach Nate McMillan elevated Robinson III into the starting lineup.

It was only one game against the Charlotte Hornets. However, in that one game, the Pacers looked drastically different than they did in the first 24 games of the season. All it took was a different player at shooting guard.

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Against the Hornets, Robinson III recorded only three points on only two shots. However, he was instrumental in the Pacers’ 110-94 blowout win.

Robinson III fulled the other parts of his stat sheet. He had six rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocks. He also had plenty of contributions that could not be seen on the official stats.

The Pacers’ offense looked much more fluid than usual against the Hornets. The ball was constantly moving, and everyone seemed like they were getting open shots more often.

Defensively, the starting lineup was much better with Robinson III than it was with Ellis. Robinson III is a quick and lengthy wing player. Thus, he is a very good defensive player. With his stature and Paul George‘s length, the Pacers are formidable defensively.

That fact was evident against the Hornets. Charlotte only shot 33.3% from the field, and their starting perimeters Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist shot a combined 9-38 from the field.

Since the start of the season, Pacers’ fans have been clamoring for less Monta Ellis. Robinson III’s performance Monday will only make those people push harder for that move. Frankly, the franchise should listen to them.

A lot of Indiana’s problems have to do with Ellis. He is a liability defensively, and he is like a black hole on offense. As a result, the Pacers have looked out of sync on both sides of the ball during the 24 games he has started in.

One game usually does not force a coach to make a change to his starting lineup. However, if the Pacers continue to excel with Robinson III in the starting lineup, McMillan has to put Ellis on the bench when he recovers.

There is no timetable for Ellis’ return, but he will not be available to play the team’s upcoming three-game road trip (Miami, Chicago, and Brooklyn).

Next: Pacers: Paul George Frustrated with Team’s Poor Start

This is a golden opportunity for Robinson III with Ellis in street clothes for an extended period of time. He could really solidify his place in the starting lineup on this road trip.

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