Vogel on FTs: 'We've got to get there more'

Free throws were a sensitive topic for the Indiana Pacers following Monday's 110-100 loss to Houston, considering the Rockets' James Harden had more (22) than all of the Pacers combined (19).

But putting Harden aside, the inability to get to the line has been a factor in the Pacers' current six-game losing streak heading into tonight's game at Washington.

Indiana has averaged 18.5 free-throw attempts per game during the losing streak. It has averaged 21.5 on the season, which isn't particularly impressive — it puts them only 22nd in the NBA in that category — but it sure beats what has been going on recently.

"We've got to get there more," coach Frank Vogel said.

Not surprisingly, however, that's easier said than done for an offensively challenged team that's been without its best player (Paul George) for the entire season.

As Vogel noted, the Pacers don't have anyone that's an elite slasher in the mold of Harden. They were doing a better job of getting to the line during a seven-game winning streak earlier this month, but Vogel said that was due, in part, to playing weaker opponents.

"You've got to have guys that can create that separation," he said. "We're not that type of team, where you can dump it into one guy and he's going to knife through the defense and get to the line. You've got to move the ball well and attack the basket."

The frustration hit a high point against the Rockets. Forward Solomon Hill said the Pacers can do a better job of pushing the ball into paint, but they sometimes don't feel like they've been rewarded when they do so.

"At certain times, you want the call and think you're supposed to get the call and it kind of frustrates you," Hill said. "You go to the hole and you don't get the call. How many times are you supposed to go to the hole before you get the call? You kind of shy away from it.

"It's definitely hard, but we have to stay with it and find a way to get to the line."

Guard C.J. Miles said teams are packing it inside more now than earlier this season because the Pacers haven't been shooting as well from the outside. That's also made it more difficult to get to the basket and draw fouls, he said.

"I think the biggest thing is to get back to playing defense like we were," he said. "That allowed us to get out into transition and get to the basket. If you're taking the ball out of (your own) basket against a set defense, it's tough to penetrate that."

Houston has Harden. Washington has John Wall. He is always looking to push tempo and get the ball to the basket.

"He's one of the best point guards in the game," Vogel said. "He challenges the whole team, not just the point-guard matchup, with his motor on the break. Everybody on your team has to have the mindset to run back as hard as they possibly can. On top of that, he's a great passer. He gets everyone involved."

Follow Star sports writer Michael Pointer on Twitter @michaelpointer.

NOT SO FREE

The Pacers have averaged just 18.5 free throw attempts in the last six games — one of their five-worst stretches of the season — and they've lost all six games. That's not a coincidence:

FTAs Rec. Dates 18.3 1-5 1/16-1/25 18.3 3-3 12/20-12/29 18.3 2-5* 11/4-11/14 18.5 0-6 3/14-3/23 18.5 1-5 11/28-12/8

*-The Pacers had two six-game stretches within seven games in which they averaged 18.3 free throws, they are combined.

INDIANA at WASHINGTON

Tipoff: 7 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports Indiana.

Radio: WFNI-FM (107.5), WFNI-AM (1070).

PACERS (30-40)

Pos. Player PPG Key stat PG George Hill 15.3 4.5 apg SG C.J. Miles 12.3 80.8 FT% SF Solomon Hill 9.2 4.0 rpg PF David West 11.9 6.9 rpg C Roy Hibbert 10.9 1.7 bpg 6th Rodney Stuckey 12.9 38.3 3FG%

WIZARDS (40-31)

Pos. Player PPG Key stat PG John Wall 17.2 9.9 apg SG Bradley Beal 14.8 41.9 3FG% SF Paul Pierce 12.6 4.0 rpg PF Nene Hilario 11.2 5.1 rpg C Marcin Gortat 11.9 8.6 rpg 6th Kevin Seraphin 6.7 3.6 rpg

STORYLINES

• Sowing the seeds: The Pacers in 10th in the Eastern Conference, one game behind Boston for the eighth and final playoff spot. Charlotte is a half-game ahead of Indiana with Brooklyn a half-game behind. Miami is in seventh, 2.5 games up on the Pacers. Miami plays Tuesday night.

• Stuckey questionable: Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey did not practice Tuesday and is questionable for Wednesday's game.

• Inconsistent Washington: While Indiana has seen its fortunes shift wildly in the last two months — from winning seven in a row to its current six-game losing streak — Washington has been equally inconsistent. The Wizards endured a 2-11 stretch, then won seven of nine, and now are on a three-game losing streak.

• Prediction: One of these teams will snap a losing streak Wednesday night. Given that Washington's came on the road and included two quality opponents in Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers, extend the Pacers' streak to seven. Washington 82, Pacers 78.

— Nat Newell