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#1
I will admit it George Hill being out has me worried.
Why?
In the Pacers domination of Game 4, I thought the Knicks would win and Hill was 9-16 and had 26 points. That's coming up BIG. Knicks were never in it.
In Game 3, he had 17 pts and 6 boards and was 5 of 12 from 3 point land.
There is another crucial layer to his lineup presence. He is an excellent defender.
He brings energy, runs the floor well and the Pacers offense relies on him to dictate the play when he has the ball. He won't tally many assists, but neither does a guy like Nate Robinson and you see all the little extra stuff he brought to the Bulls run. And George Hill is miles ahead of Nate on both sides of the ball.
Why is this a problem?
Their backup is DJ Augustine.
DJ Augustine averages 4 and 2. Yes, 4 and 2.
In Game 5, when he started in place of Hill, he had 12 pts, 0 rebounds, 0 assists and shot 33% from the field AND he can't play defense. The Pacers never were in that game to take it. They were close though but just out of reach of ever taking a real lead.
What's the problem with that? The Pacers don't really have a back-up point guard of worth.
Lance Stephenson is not a playoff caliber PG. When he comes in, you lose leads and momentum. He went 1-7 the other night. Not JKidd territory but otherwise, totally unacceptable.
George Hill is 14pts and 6Reb every night and recently more and now he is out of the lineup.
I just listened to ESPNIndiana and the rep. from Indy said he will not play in game 6 and game 7 he has about a 20% chance of playing, if that. I'm just the messenger.
So this game will be without G.Hill. And maybe the next if it gets there.
What does this all lead to?
The line.
I don't like it. It's 5. That's only .5 pt less than the last line. In this spot, in this big a game, G.Hill at the point is worth more than .5, especially with DJ as your guy to back him up and no backup PG of worth.
With no Hill, Hibbert, West and George will have to come up VERY BIG and it is getting to the point where you are asking these three guys to do too much in too many BIG games. They have consistently come up big and there will be nights where all three just won't have it (or one of three, or two of three) and with no effective PG that spells a lot of trouble for Indy.
Well their bench will reenergize them! Really? Here is their bench:
Hansbrough
Gerald Green (I had to put 'Gerald' because most here would think AC Green given he is so nonexistent)
Sam Young
Mahinmi
Guys, that is not a playoff caliber bench...Not even close.
So that is what makes me uncomfortable about the Pacers.
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