Three takeaways as Indiana Pacers change up starting lineup, beat Houston Rockets
The Indiana Pacers made a dramatic change on Tuesday and shifted over half of their starting lineup. Out went Buddy Hield, Obi Toppin, and Bruce Brown (due to injury). In came Andrew Nembhard (who started with Brown out before), Aaron Nesmith, and Jalen Smith. The Pacers, who had lost six of their last seven entering the day, were looking for answers.
They found some on Tuesday. That new starting five was +5 in over six minutes of play, a number that would have been higher if Smith didn't get hurt during the game. Their new rotation looked effective, and the Pacers were able to find a higher peak with their best players on the floor.
That guided them to a 123-117 win in Houston. It was Indiana's best victory since the In-Season Tournament and their first win away from Indianapolis since December 11. They needed a quality victory and they got it.
"We did a good job closing the game," Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton said on the Bally Sports Indiana broadcast during a postgame interview.
The Pacers watched the Rockets crush them in the second quarter, but they were the better team for much of the game outside of that span. Their offense always had an answer for Houston's bursts, largely thanks to their great night shooting the ball from deep.
Indiana climbed back over .500 with the win. They needed a solid outing and got it. They next take on the Bulls in Chicago, and they will hope their takeaways from this game can apply then.
The new starting lineup was effective
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle had hinted at a lineup change a few times in recent weeks, but his old starting five had such a good net rating that it wasn't an obvious decision.
Tuesday, he finally made the switch. It may have been more about balancing the entire rotation and less about creating a more effective starting five, but the motivations don't matter right now. For now, it worked.
"We figured it out and did a good job," Haliburton said of the team's lineups.
It was Smith's first start of the season. Nesmith and Nembhard both opened games often last season but have only done it a few times this year. Turner and Haliburton were the only constants, and they were both great at key moments last night.
The Pacers starting five was better defensively, which is something to keep an eye on going forward, especially as Brown returns from injury. On day one with a new opening lineup, though, the Pacers vision going forward was clear.
Tyrese Haliburton was fantastic
Haliburton went through a short slump the last few weeks. He was seeing new coverages and couldn't quite have the same impact on winning he had before. On top of that, he was coughing up too many turnovers and couldn't find his range.
He has exploded out of that the last two games. He had 29 points and 15 assists on Saturday night, and he maintained that high level of play in Houston. Haliburton finished with 33 points and 10 assists on Tuesday, and many of his shots were difficult yet important.
He looks more comfortable again, and everything Indiana does is possible because of Haliburton. The star guard bouncing back has been critical to the Pacers playing better against a good opponent in both of their last two outings.
Haliburton also made some important passes and shots during clutch time. He did everything the Pacers needed him to in this win.
Turnovers were an issue
The Pacers had 20 turnovers. They struggled taking care of the ball, and it almost cost them in a major way. Houston, between those turnovers and their own offensive rebounds, took 15 more shots from the field than the blue and gold.
Nesmith, Toppin, Bennedict Mathurin, and Haliburton all had three turnovers. Andrew Nembhard had a whopping six. Those numbers are far too high to win with any consistency.
"Taking care of the basketball, controlling the paint," Pacers assistant coach Jannero Pargo said of what the team needed to clean up in the second half during an interview at halftime on the Bally Sports Indiana broadcast.
That didn't really happen. New lineups may have caused some of the arrhythmic play, but Indiana wasn't always under control. They need to clean that up going forward.
They'll have a chance to do so, and keep up their good play with new lineups, on Thursday in Chicago.
- Tyrese Haliburton is working through increased attention and pressure from defenses for the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- James Johnson back with Indiana Pacers to provide wisdom and toughness. CLICK HERE.
- Jarace Walker showing important growth for Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers survive comeback attempt from Houston Rockets for much-needed road win. CLICK HERE.
- Follow AllPacers on Facebook: All Pacers SI
- Follow AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers
