When I hear someone say "We played them about as even as we could" I am left wondering exactly how even that is.  Last night, during the season opener for the Pacers, I found out exactly what that means.  Atlanta won the game 120 to 109.  It was closer than that though.  Take a look at how even this game was:

Field Goal %

Indiana - 53.4%
Atlanta - 52.9%

Three Point %

Indiana - 55.6%
Atlanta - 58.3%

Free Throws

Indiana - 21 of 25
Atlanta - 21 of 29

Rebounds

Indiana - 40 (6 offensive)
Atlanta - 35 (8 offensive)

After looking at those stats, I am left scratching my head at HOW a team can lose by 11 points when the numbers are so close.  And then I come to these numbers:

Turnovers/Points off Turnovers

Indiana - 25 turnovers - 35 points scored by Atlanta
Atlanta - 11 turnovers - 13 points scored by Indiana

With a -14 difference in turnovers and a -22 difference in points scored off turnovers, it is easy to see why Indiana lost this game.  The game came down to who was protecting the ball on their possessions and Indiana clearly did not do a good enough job in this area.

There were plenty of positives though for this game.  I am pleased with how the backups played.  Earl Watson, Dahntay Jones, Luther Head, Solomon Jones, and Jeff Foster all played good minutes off the bench.  Jones, however, did throw in 6 of the team's 25 turnovers for the game. 

Roy Hibbert looked good in the first quarter when he grabbed 7 rebounds, but only ended up with 9 for the game.  He is a work in progress, but I really see his potential.  If he can get to where he shows his game every play, every game, then he will be a very good player.  If not, then we are looking at another David Harrison.

CO-POG:  Troy Murphy - 14 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists.  Danny Granger scored 31 points, including 5 three pointers.

Record: 0-1

Next Game:  Friday vs Miami Heat - Home Opener