Section 203 checking in after another thrilling victory in the heart of Indiana.

The Pacers defense continue to leave a lot to be desired, but our offense is COOKING. This team is fun to watch; you never know who is going to blow up each night. Looking at your Bennedict Mathurin 👀

This team is now 5-3 (4-2 home), fourth best record in the East, and second behind Milwaukee in the Central Divison.

1. Incremental Improvement

When is Benn Mathurin going to take that next step? Where is the confidence we saw last season? Why is he playing so poorly this season? All legitimate questions we have asked as a fanbase through these first eight game, including myself.

Mathurin’s game has been incremental, sometimes hard to see until you start looking. The last three games have changed everything.

• Against the Hornets, Mathurin had 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists. The biggest change I noticed was his continued desire to drive the ball despite getting bodied at the rim all game.
• Against the Spurs, Mathurin had 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. He continued driving to the rim, but this time he was able to finish, including six straight points on drives.
• Against the Jazz, Mathurin has 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. While not stuffing the stat book, Mathurin’s game took the next incremental step. The shots continue to fall when he drove to the basket which also opened him up behind the arc, where he shot 4-of-7.

2. Team Chemistry

Team. Basketball. Wins.

• 26 assists on 52 made field goals.
• Six players scored 10-plus out of nine that played.
• Three players scored 20-plus.
• Eight players record at least one steal.
• Five players recorded at least one block.
• Fourth straight game with 120+ points scored.

3. Speaking of Defense

The box score shows an incredible defensive effort from the Pacers, yet the eyes witnessed the same lackadaisical approach mixed in with a sloppy fourth quarter.

• Rank 26th in Defensive Rating at 116.4. The Bucks rank 25, while the Jazz, Hornets, Wizards, and Spurs are 27-30.
• 61.3 points per game allowed in the paint. By far the worst in the NBA, as second worst are the Wizards at 56.6.
• Rank 24th in Opponents Fastbreak Points with 16.4 per game and 23rd in Opponents second chance points with 16.0 per game.
• Halibuton’s lackadaisical approach to defense is disheartening to watch. He’s so good on offense, but doesn’t even bother on the defensive end. Opponents drive around him with ease, and against the Spurs we saw them grab three offensive rebounds on one possession while Haliburton just stood under the basket looking. Something has to change if he’s going to be our star.
• Jalen Smith and Aaron Nesmith pass the eye test on defense. Both play with a lot of pride, create turnovers, and don’t back down to anyone. In a rotation of 9 or 10 players, you need more than two who actually care on the defensive end.

4. Aaron Nesmith is a star

Lots of hyperbole here but I’m putting pen to paper so when it comes true I have proof. Nesmith is going to be the guy. And since he is signed through 2027, he’s going to be the guy for the Pacers. Haliburton is just keeping that seat warm for Nesmith.

• P.S. Don’t kill me, just having some fun here. It is so much fun to watch ‘no-name’ guys rise.

5. Check out that jersey

After the Spurs game I noticed someone wearing a Fred Hoiberg jersey. Had to be an authentic jersey from the 1997-1998 season. One of the rarer jersey’s I’ve seen.

• What’s the jersey or jerseys you’ve seen that made you say to someone, “Check out that jersey”?

As usual, thank you for coming to my Pavers talk. Let’s grab another W against the Bucks!