Despite being overtaken in fourth place in the East, the Indiana Pacers are playing strong.
The Indiana Pacers came out on top against the Houston Rockets, winning 115-102. An even start saw the Pacers pull away with a 10 point lead at the half, and they did not relinquish their advantage.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said the Rockets’ physicality and strength with rebounds gave him headaches leading into the game, and he was pleased with how his team were able to adjust.
The Pacers are 35-25 for the season, on course for a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference.
Rick Carlisle reserves special praise for Pacers center Myles Turner, who managed to score 16 points in the contest. But it was Turner’s defensive contribution that really showed up.
“They’re so big and so athletic, there’s at times, only so much you can do. But we hung in there.
“Myles Turner was phenomenal in the last six minutes of the game. He controlled the rim, Alperun Sengun has an unconventional way of playing, and he uses his body well, but Myles adjusted as the game went on.”
Turner had four rebounds and four blocks. Carlisle believed the numbers credited him with five – arguing he actually had far more.
The coach explained: “The stats say five block shots. I would bet a lot of whatever you want to bet that there’s more than five block shots there. I mean, probably at least seven.”
The Pacers have been playing well since the break, 6-4 over the last 10, with Carlisle previously praising the growth of Aaron Nesmith.
The Pacers’ points leader was Tyrese Haliburton, who has shaken off his early season struggles and come into form at just the right time.
Halburton went for 28-3-15, with his all around game praised by Carlisle, who likes what he sees from the team’s star man.
“Tyrese was great. He’s learned how to adjust to all the different defenses. Tonight, it’s big, physical guys. Other nights, it’s double teams. Other nights it’s just physical play teams, taking liberties and stuff like that.
“But he’s adjusted to everything, and has a great feel for when he’s got it going, to keep the run going and when to get other guys involved, the balance has been great.
“It’s one of the reasons the turnovers have been very low, you know, as it’s kind of it’s a general rule, and tonight defensively, he really battled on the inside, came up with some big rebounds.”
Haliburton has recently stated he is spending time watching defensive film with Carlisle in order to improve.
Next up the Pacers have a double-header against the Atlanta Hawks, before a game against the Chicaho Bulls. Then a showdown at home to the Milwaukee Bucks awaits.
