Minnesota Timberwolves’ rivals perspective: Pick-and-pop Pacers
Tony East, the host of Locked on Pacers, was kind enough to answer three questions about the Minnesota Timberwolves matchup against the Indiana Pacers.
The Indiana Pacers may be in rebuilding mode, but that doesn’t mean the Minnesota Timberwolves should take them lightly. Let’s take a look at a Pacers perspective of the Jeff Teague revenge game.
1. How has the Pacers offense been different without Paul George?
Tony East (@TEastNBA): The most obvious difference has been the increase in volume of pick-and-pops. Thaddeus Young averages 1.2 attempts per game from long range for his career, yet he is shooting 2.7 per game this season. Myles Turner has .9 attempts per game for his career and he took 3 in his lone game this season. Small sample sizes, of course, but the pick-and-pop has increased in amount so far.
As for overall sets and things of that nature, not much difference. The Pacers run a lot of action early in the shot clock, but the offense tends to stagnate and end in an iso pretty frequently if the action is shut down.
Brian Sampson (@BrianSampsonNBA): The Pacers have an interesting collection of talent on their team where they can only hope the sum is greater than the parts. With that being said, they do have a nice combination of players who can tease out the driving lanes (Darren Collison, Cory Joseph, Victor Oladipo) and players who can step outside and knock down those catch-and-shoot opportunities (Bojan Bogdanovic). It’s smart to continue to use their diverse talent in ways that can maximize their efficiency such as the pick-and-pop.
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2. What will be Indiana’s game plan against the Timberwolves? What weaknesses of Minnesota will they exploit?
Tony: The Wolves are currently 23rd in the league in opponent 3-point percentage, which is currently at 37.8 percent. The Pacers have struggled from deep this season, but this game could be an opportunity to get back on track from distance. Trying to create catch-and-shoot opportunities for Bogdanovic (who will likely be guarded by Andrew Wiggins) could be a play the Pacers frequently go to for some points.
The Wolves have bene pretty balanced on offense this year, but they rank 21st in 3-point percentage so far this season. The Pacers may try to force them to take a few bombs on that end of the floor. Given that they are clearly at a disadvantage in talent, this could be a tall task.
Brian: I go back to Tony’s answer in the first question. We’ve all seen Karl-Anthony Towns‘ struggles in the pick-and-roll (or pop) offense and I expect that to continue most of the season. It will be a lot more difficult with Domantas Sabonis starting in place of Myles Turner, however, any chance Indiana gets they should put Towns in a guarding position.
3. If you were the head coach of the Timberwolves, how would you exploit the Pacers?
Tony: First and foremost, Towns is hedging every screen. If he is up higher, those pick-and-pop plays will not succeed for Indiana.
I’m also running a pretty similar offense every time down the floor. Some action out of horns to try to get a shot, but if it’s not there, running a PnR with Towns (guarded by Sabonis) and whoever is being guarded by Bogdanovic (presumably Wiggins) seems like a great way to score in late clock situations.
Sabonis can’t defend in space as well as Myles Turner, and with Turner out, I’m looking to get KAT the ball on the perimeter as much as possible.
Next: Timberwolves game preview: Oct 24 vs Pacers
Brian: I wouldn’t do anything fancy from the Timberwolves perspective. This is one of those games where they can practice their sets and hope to gain some more cohesiveness throughout the contest. Minnesota has a huge talent advantage, especially on the wings. Let Wiggins and Butler do their thing against the completely overmatched Bogdanovic and Oladipo.