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Indiana Pacers Need Total Team Effort In Game Three

By Garrett Hagan

Apr 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) and point guard Monta Ellis (11) and guard Ty Lawson (10) look on from the bench in the closing moments of the game against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pacers 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) and point guard Monta Ellis (11) and guard Ty Lawson (10) look on from the bench in the closing moments of the game against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pacers 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indiana Pacers lost to the Toronto Raptors Monday night during game two in which only two Pacers scored in double figures.

The Indiana Pacers were dominated by the Raptors 98-87 on Monday night, a score that may look just a bit closer than what it actually was. The Raptors led by as much as 18 points during the course of the game. For the Pacers, the only players to score in double figures were Paul George and Monta Ellis, who had 28 and 15 points respectively.

The other three starters? Lavoy Allen had just two points in 21 minutes, Ian Mahinmi had five points followed by George Hill contributing only four points in 31 minutes on the floor. Those are simply terrible statistics for a playoff-caliber team, especially one that is going up against a team that has as much depth as the Raptors.

Out of all three of the starters in Monday night’s loss whose play was subpar, Hill played the most minutes. His stat-line consisted of two-for-five from the field and zero-for-three from the three-point line. He also had only one rebound and one assist.

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For being on the floor for 31 minutes worth, there is absolutely no reason as to why some of Hill’s stats could have been better — especially having only one assist when you’re the starting point guard of an NBA team.

Even though he made five of his six free throw attempts in game two, Mahinmi also made zero of his six attempts from the field and was only able to come up with five rebounds in the Pacers loss.

After the loss, George vented his frustrations with the team’s efforts Monday night. “Usually you walk away from a trip 1-1, and you feel good about it, but I’m upset about this one,” George said.

Rightfully so. As Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star wrote, George can’t beat the Raptors all by himself. It is vital that the Pacer’s starting unit and role players produce in game three and beyond if they have any wishes of a first-round upset over the Eastern Conference’s second best team. A team that won nearly 60 games throughout the regular season.

Next: Indiana Pacers Need Better Production From George Hill

Amongst players who came off of the bench during game two, the team also could use an increase in production from the likes of Myles Turner, Rodney Stuckey and C.J. Miles. These three players have been a decent portion of Indiana’s success this season and it’s important that they play well in the postseason.

Be sure to follow Ink On Indy as we continue our coverage of the first round for the Indiana Pacers.

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