The Indiana Pacers are running out of time and it is only Game 1 of the team's second-round series against the Washington Wizards. After narrowly avoiding an epic postseason meltdown to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, the Pacers looked like momentum was on their side. Until the Wizards got the best of them and now the Pacers are left to try and put the pieces back together which includes getting Roy Hibbert out of his slump.
The award for biggest disappearing act in the postseason could easily go to Hibbert. The All-Star's stat line in Game 1 was scary. The center played 18 minutes, putting up zero points and zero rebounds on the night. That is not what the Pacers are expecting from their resident big man. This is only just another disappointing line on the postseason resume for Hibbert. He has averaged 5.3 points and 3.7 rebounds so far in the playoffs and without any injuries to speak of, players are left to wonder what is wrong.
According to ESPN, several players approached Hibbert in the locker room to try and figure out what is wrong. According to sources, David West was visibly frustrated as he had a heated conversation with Hibbert. West declined to tell reporters what he said to the center, only noting that the team must continue to build him up because "he's got to be part of the fight. He's got to be part of this thing for us to go anywhere."
Paul George had similar things to say about the center's pure disappearing act so far in the postseason as the Pacers struggle to figure out how to get a win. George told the Indianapolis Star, "We're at the point where we really need Roy and we need him now. It comes down to us having heart and rebounds the ball. We need out big fella to rebound the ball for us. But we've got faith. We've got faith that everything will be good on our end."
Hibbert is well-aware that he needs to pick his game up somehow before Game 2. The center believes aggressiveness will be the key to his turnaround. Some would say he is being plenty of aggressive after picking up five fouls in 18 minutes, but Hibbert is hoping that mindset will change things.
"I got to come out and be aggressive," Hibbert said, via ESPN.com. "I got to be a different Roy Hibbert than I have been." "I'm going to change some things up for the second game. I'm going to look within myself and go out there and figure it out."
Meanwhile, Jeff Teague is giving himself all the credit for the Wizards win on Monday night. The point guard took to Twitter claiming he and the Atlanta Hawks put together the blue print for beating the Pacers after taking them to a Game 7 in the first round. He is not totally wrong considering Atlanta proved Indiana struggled against the three-point shot and spreading the floor out. They also taught Indiana how to win against that style of offense.
