Practice Report
After a tough loss to the 76ers on Saturday night, the Pacers had a practice that ran over an hour past its scheduled time on Monday afternoon. Clearly, the team wasn’t satisfied with its loss to the much-maligned Sixers, an outfit whose win column is still in single digits.
The game’s lead changed hands four times in the final minute of play, with the deciding bucket being a gliding layup from the right hand of second-year player Michael Carter-Williams.
“We’re not communicating the way we should,” said David West, who had a season-high 28 points in the effort. “A little undisciplined, (we’re) not sticking to what we know we’re supposed to do.”
West was referring to the team’s play in the fourth quarter when he said that, but then was asked specifically about the final shot of the game. A play that was drawn up for him with Indiana down one, and only a few seconds on the clock.
“Our spacing wasn’t good enough,” he said. “We’ve got to execute in those moments, we’re supposed to be spread, supposed to have to get spread, guys have to be where they’re supposed to be.”
The numbers indeed show that the Pacers have struggled in close games, likely a product of injuries and inexperience. Indiana is just 2-21 entering the fourth quarter trailing its opponent. And Saturday night’s loss to the Sixers was no exception.
“(We're) not doing pretty well closing games,” guard Donald Sloan told a crowd of reporters after Monday’s practice. “It’s just something we have to get better on. That���s executing plays offensively and defensively.”
The work from practice and lessons from in-game experiences will be put to the test against the Timberwolves on Tuesday night, a team that has dropped 16 consecutive games. While the Pacers don’t intend for the game against the injury-riddled T-Wolves to be a close one, they will be prepared should it happen.
"Luckily we have a lot of games ahead of us," Sloan said. "We can improve on that and do a better job of closing games, and being on the other ends of those losses."
Extra Shots
- C.J. Miles, who suffered a corneal abrasion against the Sixers, said his eye is fine and that he's ready to play on Tuesday versus Minnesota. He joked – or maybe was serious – that if he takes another blow to the face, he will start wearing a protective mask like the one Kirk Hinrich is known for.
- Head coach Frank Vogel said that George Hill will not play against the Timberwolves and "we'll see after that." Vogel later added: “We’re both excited about him getting back out there. We’re really excited about what he did when he did come back (for five games from Dec. 23-31).”
- Vogel noted that he sees similarities between Philadelphia and Minnesota, namely that they are a young and athletic bunch: “The things we did poorly against Philly, we gotta turn around and do better against Minnesota.”
- Miles, too, had high praise for the Timberwolves' young players: “They’re building, guys trying to prove themselves, and they're elite athletes. They’re as athletic as anybody in the NBA, or anybody in the world I should say.” Miles specifically lauded the athleticism of rookie Andrew Wiggins.
- Rodney Stuckey is questionable for Tuesday night’s game with a case of food poisoning.