Hallowinless: Pacers struggle offensively against Utah

The Indiana Pacers struggled to put up a decent fight at home last night and are now winless through three games for the first time since 2009.

Call it the curse of a Halloween game, call it a slow start – but the Indiana Pacers have yet to win a game through three tries and are in danger of slipping into their worst start in over 20 years. In fact, before 2009 you’d have to go all the way back to 1996 to find the last time Indiana was 0-3 to start a season. That year, they started 0-3, avoided going 0-4 with an overtime win over Houston, but ended up at 3-11 through the first few and finished with 39 wins total.

The last time Indiana started the year 0-4? 1988, the year after drafting Reggie Miller. The Pacers lost their first nine games that season and finished with 28 wins and four different coaches.

To suggest that is where this team is headed would be incredibly premature, but there are worrying signs as displayed against Utah last night.

More from Ink on Indy

The Good
The Pacers had four players in double figures last night, most notably Myles Turner, who turned in 10 points on 4-8 shooting in just his second-ever NBA game.

Turner was one of few bright spots, and that’s saying a lot considering the opposition had Rudy Gobert marked on him for the majority of his time on the floor. He showed the jab step-to-jumper move will be a common one in his arsenal this season, but also had no problem attacking the basket which is encouraging to see.

The leadership displayed by Monta Ellis, though not in combination with his numbers so far, was also a positive. Ellis saw the Pacers beginning to slip and though it was apparent there was nothing he could do, he continued to drive the Blue & Gold well morale began to swing low.

The Bad
Unfortunately, there was a lot more “bad” than “good” and a lot of it had to do with lazy defense, a lack of communication, and the astonishing 24 turnovers Indiana let happen.

The starters didn’t shoot well and there were only three players on the court last night that shot 50% from the floor in more than two attempts. Ellis went from 6-23 before the game to now 11-37, and Paul George only slightly rectified his lack of efficiency with 16 points on 6-11 shooting.

It’s still plenty early, but it’s the little things that are difficult to handle more than anything else – too many turnovers, a lack of chemistry, and an overall sense of inconsistency on both ends.

Next: Pacers Roundtable: Eight Thoughts on the Season Ahead

Game Notes

The Jazz won the battle on the boards, 47-34
Utah had six players in double figures, led by Derrick Favors with 18 pts
Indiana shot the ball 40% from the field and a lowly 23.5% from the 3pt line
Just like against Memphis, Indiana was nearly doubled on in points in the paint, this time 50-26

After two days rest, the Pacers travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons at the Palace. Tipoff is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 pm ET.

Home/Indiana Pacers