The Pacers were one of the best defensive teams in the NBA the last two years. Roy Hibbert manning the middle, the length of George Hill, Lance Stephenson, and Paul George giving opponents fits on the perimeter, and the versatile David West just being sound inside or out.
That group, however, got separated. Some by choice — Stephenson left in free agency — and others because of injury — George suffered a compound fracture to his right leg. The other three core players have all missed games with various injuries, especially Hill.
Hill returned in late January and he’s been a breath of fresh air. He’s comfortable, confident, and playing aggressive. Like when he recorded his first career triple-double on Feb. 27 against the Cavaliers. The Pacers (28-34) are 15-7 when he plays, and a staggering 12-3 when he starts.
With Paul George out indefinitely, Hill has been the catalyst of the group. As a whole, over the last half-dozen games, they look like the team of old — smothering on defense, comfortable in their roles, and communicating well.
About five games ago, at the end of February, head coach Frank Vogel made the decision to tighten the screws with what they’re doing defensively now that the personnel is there.
“We’re just playing extremely hard, defending at a high level, and taking care of the basketball,” said Vogel. “… Once we got George [Hill] to the point where he was able to play without a restriction [after the All-Star break in late February], it just kind of renewed my confidence in what this group can do defensively.”
All but Paul George is healthy, relatively speaking, and rotations have finally become normal, which in turn has provided them all with confidence in their own roles.
Before each game, goals are set for the group. Simple, short, direct goals for them to accomplish that game. Two recent focuses have been guarding pick-and-rolls with just two guys, and staying home on shooters.
“Coach is challenging us defensively and that’s been what’s working for us,” West said.
Added Vogel: “Just reminding what this group is capable of and trying to strive for that greatness on the defensive end.”
That’s a big reason for their five-game winning streak, which is tied with Charlotte and San Antonio for the longest active streak in the league. During this stretch, they have held all five opponents to 86 points or less and below 40 percent shooting.
“We’ve re-established it just because we’re healthy,” second-year wind Solomon Hill offered. “When you have a healthy group of guys, it’s time to sit down, lock down on it, and get used to it because this is the same time of intensity we want in the playoffs.”
The renewed focus on defense, combined with a favorable home-heavy schedule against weaker opponents, has propelled the Pacers into the playoff picture. Right now, they are eighth in the Eastern Conference standings.
But — a big, BUT — the final spots are constantly changing.
On Saturday, after a win in New York, they were in seventh. They haven’t played since, but dropped to eighth on Sunday after Charlotte earned its fifth consecutive win.
“The way the standings shape up gives us a healthy sense of urgency because if we lose two or three games in a row, you go from seventh to 12th just like that,” said Vogel.
The Pacers aren’t happy or celebrating because they’ve strung together five wins in a row, in fact, they are just seeing the potential.
Telling quotes from starter George Hill: “I think we’re trusting one another. I think earlier in the season, everyone was just focused on their guy and not helping the next man. I think, as of late, we’ve been playing great, solid, team defense — trying to help others when others are helping others.
“I think from our starters to our bench, to the guys who may not even be playing, everyone’s contributing something and everyone’s having fun out there, playing their role, not trying to do too much and trusting one another.”
The Pacers will spend the next week in their own beds as all four games are at home, against Orlando, Milwaukee, and Boston, and Toronto — the final three opponents will be on the second night of a back-to-back.
With guys healthy and their togetherness the best it’s been all season, the Pacers will look to maintain their mindset and push forward to follow through on their goals…