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INDIANAPOLIS – The return of Victor Oladipo has been overshadowed with the Indiana Pacers now in their longest losing streak in more than two years.
Home losses on Friday and Saturday saw Indiana’s losing streak climb to 5 games with the All-Star break arriving this week.
Friday’s rematch with the Raptors didn’t lead to any revenge for the Pacers (31-22).
Toronto’s balance (6 guys with at least 16 points) was the difference, as the visiting Raptors were able to overcome not having All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry for the final quarter.
Down just 2 points with 6:47 to go in the 4th, the Pacers were victims of an 8-0 run by Toronto.
The 115-106 victory by the Raptors came with Toronto dominating in transition (27-to-6 in fast break points).
Victor Oladipo made his second start of the season, scoring 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting.
While Oladipo got his first night off since returning on Saturday, the Pacers did have T.J. Warren (concussion) back.
New Orleans (22-31) came to Bankers Life Fieldhouse playing without leading scorers Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson.
For a second straight night, the Pacers couldn’t make enough plays late.
The Pelicans ended the game on a 23-11 run, coming back from a 4-point deficit at the mid-way point of the 4th quarter. New Orleans outrebounded Indiana 53-37.
Jeremy Lamb led Indiana with 26 points (9-of-13). Warren added 22 (9-of-12) in his return.
Three Things Learned
-Oladipo Rests: The original plan with Victor Oladipo was to have him sit out back-to-backs the rest of the season. Saturday was the first one for him in his return. In Friday’s matchup with the Raptors, Oladipo finally saw his shooting numbers get back to an acceptable level: 5-of-11 shooting, 15 points. Oladipo got his second straight start on Friday and looked comfortable early on. He also played a season-high 28 minutes, which is the minute limits restriction for him right now. Further strides for Oladipo will come from him improving his rebounding, getting to the free throw line more and limiting turnovers (he had 4 in 28 minutes on Friday).
-Finishing Issues: In each of Indiana’s 4 losses at home over the last two weeks, the Pacers have failed to finish in the final quarter. Friday saw the Pacers lead by 4 points in the fourth, with the Raptors without lead guard Kyle Lowry. Yet, it was the visiting Raptors making the key plays without their All-Star point guard. On Saturday, even though the Pelicans were missing their top two scorers, they out-executed Indiana in the closing minutes. For long stretches this season, the Pacers were doing a nice job of capping games in the 4th quarter. How the Pacers handle end of games will continue to be a storyline with Victor Oladipo now back and his minutes rising.
-Missing Chances: While the return of Victor Oladipo stole the headlines in late January, it also began a stretch filled with great opportunities, in the form of 7 home games over an 8-game stretch. The Pacers are now 1-4 in those games, with Oladipo’s overtime forcing 3 in the final 15 seconds against Chicago being the only victory. With their longest losing streak in more than two years, the Pacers have fallen to the 6th seed of the Eastern Conference, 4 games in back of homecourt and the No. 4 spot. At 31-22, and with 29 games left in the season, the Pacers have swung and missed at a key segment of the season in their push for getting one of those precious top four seeds come playoff time.
Pacers Upcoming Schedule
-Nets 2/10 (Monday)
-Bucks 2/12 (Wednesday)
-All-Star Break
