This version of the Pacers defies analysis. Three projected reserves are starting and a projected (and injured) starter is coming off the bench. They still need name tags to identify one another, so can't be expected to dance together.
And yet, when you're up 13 points with less than two minutes left in second quarter, you don't expect to be trailing by 11 at the end of the third quarter regardless of the opponent, and regardless of fate and circumstance.
The Pacers committed 18 turnovers in their 97-89 loss to Memphis on Friday, matching their mishap total in the season opener two days earlier. You can complain about that, but you might as well get used to it. There's no other reasonable expectation from a team with a new and temporary starting five, especially when it's playing a team that goes way back together and is a legitimate contender in the Western Conference.
Photo Gallery: Pacers vs. Grizzlies »
The five guys who started for Memphis at Bankers Life Fieldhouse had a combined 2,105 starts heading into this season. The five who started for the Pacers had 1,046, and 412 of those belonged to Luis Scola, who will return to the bench when David West returns from his sprained ankle – perhaps next Tuesday.
So, the outcome of this game was virtually inevitable as soon as Memphis got its act together, which occurred once and for all in the third quarter.
The Grizzlies had jumped to an 11-point lead in the first quarter, fell behind by 13 in the second, then outscored the Pacers 33-14 in the third. The Pacers never made a serious run in the second half, because they would turn the ball over or fail to get up a good shot whenever they managed the slightest hint of momentum. They also couldn't do much about Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. The Grizzlies interior players, who also excel on the exterior, combined for 42 points on 16-of-30 shooting. It could have been worse, though. They had combined for 57 points on 24-of-33 shots in their season opener against Minnesota.
Still, it mostly came down to turnovers and a failure to get enough good shots. The Pacers shot better in all areas and outrebounded Memphis, but had twice as many turnovers.
“Turnovers killed us tonight,” Rodney Stuckey said. “We came out flat in the third quarter. We had that lead and they came out and wanted it more. That killed the vibe of the game.”
That's the version from the Pacers locker room. A different one came out of Memphis' side.
“We knew we came out lackadaisical (in the second period),” Grizzlies guard Tony Allen said. “But for the most part, we knew what we were doing wrong.”
Either way, the Pacers committed six turnovers and hit just one-third of their shots in the third quarter, and that was that.
How long should it take the Pacers, who are missing four starters from last season, to find chemistry?
“Hopefully two games,” coach Frank Vogel said.
That would be a miracle. The Pacers play their third game tonight in Atlanta, then play four games over five nights next week. They're getting acquainted on the fly. West, C.J. Watson and George Hill will be returning one at a time over the next few weeks, which is a good thing, but also assures continued cohesion issues.
Until then, the Pacers need to focus on developing talent and try to eke out as many wins as possible. Lavoy Allen offers hope. He finished with eight points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench, playing 7 ½ more minutes than Scola, who started ahead of him as power forward. Allen has hit a combined 6-of-9 shots in two games, and shares the team rebounding lead (12). He's also a better frontline defender than Scola, and perhaps even West.
Would Vogel consider starting him until West returns?
“We'll see,” he said. “Lavoy's playing great.”
So for the most part is Stuckey, who scored 10 points in 13 minutes, after scoring 16 in 16 minutes two nights earlier. He'll continue to be limited to about 15 minutes in Saturday's game in Atlanta, but he reports no pain in his sore foot and hopes to play at least 20 minutes in games next week.
Stuckey's lack of conditioning was apparent on a couple of driving layups through traffic that fell short. A little more lift, a little better timing, and he would have scored 14.
“Just a little short, man,” he smiled. “I'll be fine. Just trying to get my legs underneath me. I'll get there, and hopefully get there soon.”
The Pacers can't wait. Well, actually they can. They have no choice. They're waiting on a lot of things, and a lot of people. They just have to try to make things as interesting as possible in the meantime.