Le Trio I ME – Matturin – Nembhard Monte Enstries

After a very complicated start to the season in which they won only two of their fifteen matches, mainly due to a squad ravaged by injuries, Pacers seems to be doing a little better. Proof of that is that they have won four of their last six appearances, especially with serious success against the Kingsthis monday.

While Sacramento managed to erase a 19-point deficit, Indiana went on a 19-4 run in the last six minutes to win.

A good ending to the match is brought by the trio Andrew Nembhard – I am Pascal – Benedict Maturinauthor of 17 points. More broadly, this trio shined throughout the game, scoring 76 of the Pacers’ 116 points.

“Those three guys were good,” Congratulations to Rick Carlisle after the meeting. “These are our three leaders, I’ve spoken to them several times in the last ten days. Benedict Maturin is part of this group, along with Aaron Nesmith and TJ McConnell. These guys are our veteran leaders.”

In the furnace and in the mill

Since mid-November, the Pacers have recovered Benedict Maturin. A comeback that follows Andrew Nembhard. With such returns and despite numerous absences (Toppin, Nesmith, Halliburton…), Indiana shows more interesting things, especially in the attack where they share points with Pascal Siakam.

If the Pacers have won four of their last six games, they have held their own against the Cavaliers and Nuggets, losing narrowly each time. The Pacers’ star trio carries this team’s offense and they are the only players averaging more than ten points.

“We need our stars to live up to their status,” recalls Rick Carlyle. “Nembhardt is one of our stars, just like Siakam and Maturin will have to become. Star players have to do everything, not just score. We rely heavily on them to win duels on defense, be leaders on the court and score points. Those three guys are very important.”

One for all, all for one

As he confided to Andrew Nembhard after his success against the Kings, he has to adjust to a different role this season, where he has more of the ball to compensate for Tyrese Halliburton’s injury. Same story with Benedikt Maturin. If he’s averaging a career-best 21.2 points per night, he has to take on more defensive responsibilities by often defending against the opposition’s best player.

“The more we play together, the more we get to know each other,” explains Benedict Maturin about his association with Andrew Nembhardt and Pascal Siakam. “All three of us can score points. We just have to understand how we want to score points. It’s all about understanding and we have to be there for each other.”

“We often talk together to be more organized offensively and to understand when to hit in transition or when to find a better shot for the team by circulating the ball more,” concludes Andrew Nembhard on his team’s offense, as a whole.