Indiana Pacers: Where things stand for the team at the NBA hiatus

Domantas Sabonis/Myles Turner

Before the season, power forward Domantas Sabonis signed a four-year, $74.9 million contract extension. With that extension, there was a lot of concern about how Myles Turner and Sabonis would perform together. Sabonis fit into his role right away and earned his first All-Star game appearance.

He is averaging 18.5 points per game, 12.4 rebounds per game, and 5.0 assists per game. The big man has added four triple-doubles this season and set the franchise record for most double-doubles in a season with 50.

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It took Turner a little more time to become comfortable in his role. He missed some games at the beginning of the season and he had trouble seeing the floor during the fourth quarter. Things began to change recently for the big man out of Texas.

Over the last eight games, the offense and defense became a lot easier for Turner. He had 31 blocks during the last eight games. This included an eight-block game in a 119-80 win over the Charlotte Hornets. One of the biggest knocks against Turner has been his rebounding. He has turned that around as well. Over the last 10 games, he has been averaging 8.4 rebounds per game.

He also started to hit some clutch shots and began to spread the floor again for the Pacers. With nine seconds left in the February 27th match-up against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Pacers were up 103-100. Turner pulled up for three and put the nail in the coffin to give the Pacers the 106-103 win.

Two nights later, Turner helped ice the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. With one minute left the Cavaliers had cut the Pacers lead to four. Then, Turner hit another big three to give the Pacers a 111-104 lead. This shifted the momentum for the remainder to the Pacers and they got the win 113-104. Safe to say, Turner had finally found his rhythm as the season was coming to an end.