The Indiana Pacers are Struggling

The referees have been a problem for the Indiana Pacers. Last night was no different, but despite bad refereeing and Joel Embiid’s non-stop flopping the Pacers lost this game on their own. The referees took away the Pacers’ ability to interior defense. Yes, that was bad and yes, Embiid falls down more than anyone I have ever seen.

GIF Credit: Barstool Sports

But the referees and Embiid flopping did not hold the Pacers to 30 points in the second half. The referees did not make the Blue and Gold only shoot 22/37 from the free throw line an abysmal 59.5% from the field. They shot 31/83 from the field. That is 37.3% shooting. That is only good if you are standing behind the three point line.

Photo Credit: NBA.com

So while I understand that Pacers are being royally screwed over by the referees every chance that the NBA gives them, that is not the reason the Pacers lost this game. They lost because of poor free throw shooting, poor shooting from the field, and the fact that the Pacers are horrible when they play on national television during the regular season. In recent games we are starting to see how truly important Victor Oladipo is to the Indiana Pacers. Unfortunately, Oladipo is not walking through that door. With only 15 games left the Pacers need to figure things out on both sides of the ball and they need to figure it out fast. The Pacers play again on Tuesday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. on Fox Sports Indiana.