The Indiana Pacers are fighting for their playoff lives, and not very well lately. As an Indy Star headline described Wednesday’s loss to the Miami Heat, the Pacers “came from ahead” to lose again.
In other words, they blew another lead, scoring just five points in the game’s final five minutes, suffering an ugly 92-87 setback.
They have now lost two straight — and seven of eight — in their own building. Along with that, the Pacers’ 21-25 record marks the first time since 2016-17 that they’ve been under .500 this late in the season. (They were 39-40 that year.)
It’s not all offense, though. Sometimes, the Pacers just can’t seem to keep the opponent from getting timely baskets. That was a big part of their loss to Miami.
“I’d say it has more to do with the defense than the offense,” small forward Doug McDermott said. “I wouldn’t say we relax but when you’re playing a great team like the Miami Heat, you know they’re not going to stop. And they got hot.”
But the Pacers have indeed had some issues scoring the ball. On Wednesday, they were led by Myles Turner, who scored 15. Caris LeVert and McDermott added 14 apiece.
But Indy also blow a 45-32 lead in the second quarter … then a 58-43 lead in the third.
So right now, it’s safe to safe the Pacers are in quite a slump.
Still, they are only a game behind the Boston Celtics for the eight and final playoff spot in the East. The Pacers are also only three games back of the Charlotte Hornets (who visit Indy on Friday) for the fourth seed
So there is still time to pull it together. For the Pacers, there is no time like the present.
