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Indiana Pacers still struggling on offense; lose to Denver Nuggets, 111-93, to fall to 0-3
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Indiana Pacers react during third consecutive loss to
start the season, 111-93, to Denver Tuesday
The Indiana Pacers knew the early part of the 2009-2010 NBA season might be difficult.
They didn't quite expect this.
And they certainly didn't expect it in this fashion.
The Pacers, who have missed the playoffs each of the last three seasons, lost a third consecutive game to start the season Tuesday, struggling offensively for a second consecutive game and never really competing after the first quarter in a 111-93 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Conseco Fieldhouse.
“We've got to find a way to get a win,” Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said.
On Tuesday, injuries and a difficult early-season schedule continued to conspire to prevent that.
The Pacers, already playing without F Tyler Hansbrough and F Mike Dunleavy since before the season, also were without F Greg Foster, who sustained an ankle injury Friday in a home loss to Miami.
O'Brien said before the game the Pacers would have difficulty matching up inside.
And that was before F Mike Murphy left the game early Tuesday with a bruised lower back following a fall under the basket.
With the Pacers' interior depleted, the Nuggets (4-0) moved ahead quickly, using an early 13-3 run to take a 17-7 lead. They led 30-13 after the first quarter, 55-39 at halftime and never led by less than nine after the first quarter.
The Nuggets outrebounded Indiana, 41-23, with Denver C Nene finishing with 11 rebounds. Nine of Nene's points came as the bigger Nuggets pulled away in the first quarter.
“Somebody has to step up and help us get this first win,” said Pacers C Roy Hibbert, who registered his first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
“We need the victory now and we better figure it out quickly and get it done.”
The start to the season, while not entirely unexpected considering the injuries and three playoff contenders to start the schedule, has been surprising – if not for the three losses, then for the manner in which they have occurred. The Pacers talked throughout the offseason improving defensively – they added guard Dahntay Jones to address the area – and at times this season, there has been defensive progress.
What has surprised some is the inconsistency on offense. The Pacers played up-tempo style last year, and that was expected to be a reliable area this year. Instead, the offense has been inconsistent, and Indiana shot 36.9 percent from the floor Tuesday.
O'Brien on Wednesday said some of the inconsistency may be due to new players adapting to new roles in a new system.
“We're not going to be perfect in our movement, especially with five new guys in the passing game,” he said. “I think we have plenty of offensive weapons and I think we will become a cohesive offensive unit.”
Said Hibbert, “We are working hard to try to get to know each other. As we get to know each other, we will play better together.”
Danny Granger, the Pacers' All-Star forward, scored 18 points after leading Indiana in scoring the first two games, and Jones – primarily known for defense while playing for Denver last season – had 20 points to lead Indiana in scoring. Granger left afterward without speaking to the media.
“It's very tough to take three losses in a row like this,” Jones said. “We're sick and tired of losing. We've got to get it together.”
Also on the Pacers:
* Indianapolis Star Pacers writer Mike Wells' game story. Here.
* Indy Star columnist Bob Kravitz says Granger leaving without speaking not a good move. Here.
* Tom Lewis of IndyCornrows.com says there's a problem with the Pacers. Here.
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