1-3= Not Bad but Not Good

With a starting schedule of Detroit, Boston, Phoenix and Cleveland, most Pacers’ fans would be happy with a 1-3 record.  But with the way this team has been playing, you realize they are capable of doing so much better.  They have been playing without at least 1 starter and the last 2 games without 2 starters and were still competitive and had chances to win in each game.

What I got from their first three games as a sign of this team’s potential, is that as of right now they are not a competitor for their division. (at the beginning of the year that thought would not have even come up) A division contender would have gone 2-2 through that stretch.  On the positive note, this team is a solid playoff team in the East and when Mike Dunleavy comes back and if he’s healthy, this team could upset teams in the playoffs.

Cleveland Loss:

This team must take care of the ball.  I said that in my last post as one of the things that is a key for this team and they showed why it hurts them again in this game.  I realize this team has more posessions than most teams in the NBA because of their pace, but their is no excuse to have 24 turnovers on the night.  Even Danny Granger contributed 6 TOs.  If they are going to be a good playoff team, they must take care of the ball plain and simple. They need to stop giving up over 20 turnovers.

V. New Jersey Tonight:

The Pacers should have no problem with this matchup.  They have better players all the way around and do not have to worry about a low post threat seeing that the Nets do not have one.  This team just needs to keep playing good defense (besides the Cleveland game) and moving the ball like they have done in the first four games.  If they do that and take care of the ball (of course), this game should be a blowout.  I expect them to win by double digits in this one.  At least 10, maybe even 15.

The Pacers have an easy three game stretch where they can right their record and give them a few needed wins.

Let me know what you think this team’s biggest weaknesses and strengths are so far this season.  And how have they played compared to your expectations/what does it mean for the rest of the year?