The three best Indiana Pacers shot 3-for-12, 4-for-12 and 4-for-14. They were still able to beat the Orlando Magic handily.
Aaron Holiday and Doug McDermott came off the bench to combine for 39 points to make up for Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert.
McDermott has played and contributed consistently all season, posting career-highs in points (13.2), 2-point shooting (51.8%), minutes (24.9) and starts (19). Holiday has jumped back into the rotation after completely falling out it.
Without Holiday in these past 2 games, a 111-106 win in Orlando and a 141-137 win vs. Minnesota, the Pacers might not be in position. He has made 10 of 14 shots from 3.
"They're getting out and running," coach Nate Bjorkgren said of Holiday's improved play with the second unit. "He's good when he's out there playing free, playing with some space."
Even when Holiday was initially in the rotation, teams would go under screens to defend him. They weren't going over the top to force him inside the paint. They usually decide Holiday taking a 3 is a shot they can live with because it's less 3s taken by Brogdon, McDermott or LeVert.
It's easy to overlook that Holiday shot 39.4% from 3 last season. He's at 36% this season.
All Holiday could focus on after Friday's win, however, were his mistakes. The 6-1 guard isn't charmed by flattery about his recent play. There's no oversized grin on his face, either.
The youngest of three NBA brothers, it's what he expects from himself.
"I'm used to shooting the ball and making buckets," Holiday said. "I hold myself to a high enough standard to where that stuff doesn't faze me. When I'm really mad is when I have bad games. I had four turnovers which were just me making dumb plays."
Insider: Can't keep making excuses for Pacers' inability to win rebounding battles
That's how his basketball brain works. Holiday felt underused in his first two seasons under then-coach Nate McMillan. While he made 33 starts in his sophomore season because of the Pacers' guards/ballhandlers being decimated by injuries, the breakout never came for Holiday. T.J. McConnell gradually pushed his way into the rotation to earn more minutes and responsibility.
Something similar has occurred under Bjorkgren, who has put more trust in McConnell. There are times, however, when they can use a small lineup with McConnell and Holiday and get results. They're exposed because of their lack of size on defense, but the pace quickens.
Holiday never loses his cool.
"He doesn't show any frustration," McDermott said. "He doesn't say a word whether he's playing or not."
More: Pacers pick up 4th-year option on Aaron Holiday's rookie contract
Inevitably, Holiday will fall into the background again and become forgotten. That has been the pattern since the Pacers took him in the first round of the 2018 draft.
His 3-point shot is what separates him from McConnell and could make him more valuable if they make the postseason.
Defenses will collapse on Sabonis in the post and limit his efficiency. Kicking it out to a shooter such as Holiday is the best way to loosen that coverage because driving into an already compressed paint won't be as effective.
This is why every season before the trade deadline Holiday is of interest to many teams around the league.
Can he ever maximize with the Pacers, often playing out of position and having to defend wings such as Terrence Ross, a 6-6 3-point shooter for Orlando?
Early indications are the Pacers believe they must make keeping McConnell, who is on an expiring contract, a priority.
The final year of Holiday's rookie deal is 2021-22. He'd be eligible to sign an extension before it begins.
The Link LonkApril 10, 2021 at 05:56PM
https://ift.tt/2PUijL1
Insider: Aaron Holiday's value to Pacers tied to unflappable demeanor and 3-point shot - IndyStar
https://ift.tt/2QoXNjh
Holiday
No comments:
Post a Comment