Pacers work on their biggest problem: offense

CLEVELAND -- The Indiana Pacers didn't need a very long practice Thursday afternoon on the campus of Cleveland State University. They recognize the biggest bugaboos of the past three games, and while some are glaring – falling into early deficits, defending the 3-point line – the problem within the offense requires the most attention.

The Pacers, 30-37 and now out of the top eight in playoff standings, have sputtered on the offensive end during the past three games. Shooting just 40.9 percent over that three-game stretch, the third lowest field-goal percentage in the league, Indiana has allowed its slumping offense to affect other areas. Specifically, the defensive focus: The Pacers have allowed opponents to shoot 40 percent from the 3-point arc over this same span.

"I think that's impacted our defense a little bit," coach Frank Vogel said. "When you make these shots, you're more energized and we haven't been getting enough clean looks so hopefully we're going to do a better job of that."

So the team concentrated on offensive execution during its light practice the day before facing the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-26). On Wednesday night in Chicago, the Pacers tripped on both ends of the floor to the Bulls. When shots stopped falling, the defense hit a snag. On consecutive plays in the first quarter, George Hill and C.J. Miles misfired on long jumpers, and each time, the Bulls turned Tony Snell defensive rebounds into transition 3-pointers for Mike Dunleavy.

"We just hit a little glitch," Miles said after the 103-86 loss. "We'll get back to getting easier shots, we'll get back to stuff looking fluid and guys shooting high percentages because we're getting more open shots and easier shots. And defensively, we've got to get back connected. Talking more and being more physical."

The Pacers indeed played physical, maybe too much so, sending the Bulls to the free-throw line for 28 attempts. Also, Chicago's 3-pointers created a gulf as the divisional rival made 10 for the night.

"We keep losing great shooters, which is never part of the plan," Vogel reiterated Thursday. "Sometimes you do it and get away with it, and sometimes teams get really hot."

On Friday, the Pacers face another team that can burn them from deep. The Cavs feature three rotational players who average at least 37 percent from 3 (Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith and Matthew Dellavedova).

The Cavaliers, winners of 14 straight on their home floor of Quicken Loans Arena, have climbed to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference standings and although the Pacers have fallen out of the evolving playoff picture, LeBron James hasn't written off his longtime foe as a capable challenger.

"They're a team that's equipped for the playoffs, for sure," James said. "Just going up against them the last few years I know for sure what they're all about. It's a good style of play for the postseason."

Call Star reporter Candace Buckner at (317) 444-6121. Follow her on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.

INDIANA at CLEVELAND

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Quicken Loans Arena.

TV: Fox Sports Indiana.

Radio: WFNI-107.5 FM, 1070 AM.

PACERS (30-37)

Pos. Player PPG Key stat PG George Hill 14.9 4.6 apg SG C.J. Miles 12.5 2.8 rpg SF Solomon Hill 9.2 3.9 rpg PF David West 12.2 7.2 rpg C Roy Hibbert 10.6 1.7 bpg 6th Rodney Stuckey 13.2 .391 3-pt FG%

CAVALIERS (44-26)

Pos. Player PPG Key stat PG Kyrie Irving 22.0 5.3 apg SG J.R. Smith 12.0 3.2 rpg SF LeBron James 25.8 7.4 apg PF Kevin Love 16.7 10.2 rpg C Timofey Mozgov 9.6 7.4 rpg 6th Iman Shumpert 7.8 3.4 rpg

STORYLINES

No practice for Hill, Mahinmi, Stuckey: On Thursday, three Pacers sat out of practice. George Hill, who had a sore back issue pop over the past few days, did not work out with the team along with Ian Mahinmi (who got knocked out of Wednesday's game with a forehead contusion) and Rodney Stuckey (lingering bruised calf). Indiana has already experienced a rash of injuries — players have missed a total of 195 games this season due to various ailments — but none of the issues listed with the three Pacers appear to be threatening enough to sit out.

Paul George, Patriot: Paul George has been more cautious in his timetable to return to the Pacers this season of late but he is fully committed to participating with another: USA Basketball. He told NBA.com on Wednesday that once his broken right leg is fully healed, he wants to resume international play. The first opportunity to do so would be at a four-day mini-camp in August, which would include an exhibition game at Thomas & Mack Center in Los Vegas, where George was injured. "I'm in. Of course," George said. "The day it happened, right after, I told them I looked forward to continuing on with USA Basketball."

Prediction:The Cavaliers haven't lost at home since January. It will take the Pacers' best effort in a week to break that streak, but since the team has not shown that level of play over the last three games, expect Cleveland to take its 15th straight at Quicken Loans Arena. Cavaliers win 111-90.

— Candace Buckner and Scott Horner