Pacers make a case for solidarity in latest win

The Pacers improved 17-2 on the season with a 95-86 win at Utah Wednesday night
The Big Picture
This was a taking care of business kind of game. No spectacular Paul George show here where he's draining 3-pointers from all over the court, or Roy Hibbert blocking eight shots type of game. The Pacers got off to a slow start trailing 12-2 out of the gate, but then outscored the Jazz by 19 points the rest of the way. The Pacers scored 30 in the second quarter to pull within one at the half then outscored the Jazz 27-19 in the fourth to secure the win, building the lead to as much as 12 midway through the quarter.
The Ups

Pacers power forward David West is a
good shooter, but he showed his passing
prowess as well with eight assists Wednesday.

1) Sometimes the little things make a big difference. That was at least part of the reason why this game ended up the way it did. First, you've got power forward David West with his eight assists. West sometimes doesn't always make the best decisions with passes when it has to be done quickly, like on out of bounds plays and when throwing long outlet passes. But when it comes to running the set offense, he's very adept in the high post at making the good pass. And as many not just Pacers, but NBA fans know, he's very good at making the jumper in the area around the key, which makes the defense respect him. But Wednesday night, it was the passing that stood out. Also, there were several times where Pacers were on the floor going after a loose  ball. Maybe the most notable was when reserve point guard C.J. Watson dove to the floor and then flipped a pass forward to Orlando Johnson for an easy fastbreak bucket. Then on a night when Paul George wasn't hitting 3-pointers (he missed his first seven), he didn't force the issue and found other ways to help his team win, with good passing, and a key steal and dunk in the fourth quarter that helped the Pacers extend the lead and stay in the lead for good. And finally, while George led the way with 19 points, the Pacers had six guys score in double figures. Nothing earth shattering, but a show of solidarity for a more than solid team.
2) And about that bench. While I can't say it's on the same level as the Clippers, led by Watson and Luis Scola, it did produce against the Jazz. Scola finished with 14 points and he continues to fit right into the Pacers system, like he has been on the team for a couple of years. He has good skills, he's got a great basketball mind, and he's scrappy, too. Nothing not to like here. Watson hit two key 3-pointers in in the fourth quarter that helped give the Pacers some cushion and pretty much put the game out of reach for Utah. In all, the bench outscored Utah's bench 28-15. so if you're looking for one of the differences in the game, you can't help but notice that.
3) Lance Stephenson didn't have one of his great games, but he did finish with 15 points, including 13 in the first half. Stephenson doesn't have to be "the man" for the Pacers to win, but he does have to be a threat. And he was that Wednesday night as he also had five rebounds and four assists. He still needs to control that temper a bit as he had a late technical foul, but you know, there's nothing wrong with showing a little fire once in a while as long as it doesn't put the outcome of the game in jeopardy.
4) Turnovers have been a problem at times this year, but the Pacers took care of the ball on this night with just eight turnovers. It was nice not to see a bunch of poor passes.
The Downs
1) There was that slow start, but that wasn't really a big deal. But what was kind of deal was that the Pacers allowed Utah's two big men so much room inside as Jazz power forward Derrick Favors and center Enes Kantner combined for 20 points in the first half and for 42 points and 23 rebounds for the game. That's a bit unusual with guys like Hibbert and West getting their usual big minutes.So, yes, it's a bit different to see another team's big men do that much damage against the Pacers, but I suspect this an aberration and doubt that it will become a habit for the Pacers defense.
Afterthoughts
If there was a must win on this five-game trip it had to be the Utah game. That's because the Pacers other four opponents on this trip just happen to be the four best teams in the Western Conference. The Pacers are now 2-1 on the trip. It was good that they didn't need any late-game drama to win here so now they can get a bit of rest and a bit of practice time (something that can be challenging during the season) to work on some weaknesses. That's because whatever weaknesses they do have will likely be exposed by the Spurs and Thunder in these next two games.
Next Up
The Pacers' trip continues in San Antonio in an 8:30 p.m. game Saturday and Oklahoma City in a 7 p.m. game Sunday. The Spurs are challenging for the best record in the West with a 15-3 mark, just behind Portland's 16-3. San Antonio is led by its usual suspects in guard Tony Parker, power forward Tim Duncan and guard Manu Ginobili. In case you think Duncan is getting too old at age 37, he became the oldest player in NBA history to have a 20 point, 20 rebound game the other night. So while no team is unbeatable, it's no secret that the Spurs will be formidable foe as always.