Frank Vogel's bold move pays in Pacers' win
- Pacers moved ahead of the Heat by one-half game in the East.
- Luis Scola scores 24 points, Evan Turner 23, Chris Copeland 18 in win.
MILWAUKEE — Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel placed the target directly on his back Wednesday when he announced his intention to not play his five starters.
Ready…
Everybody was healthy, but Vogel decided that rest would be best for their weary legs, at the expense of improving the team's chances of beating the Milwaukee Bucks and pursuing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Aim…
Then, sticking by his words, Vogel never looked down the bench, tempted to plug in his best scorer or top playmaker when the Pacers spent the final 4 minutes locked in a seesaw battle against the worst team in the league.
Fire…
But the Pacers outlasted the Bucks when reserve Chris Copeland flashed at the top of the key for the inbounds pass and drove inside for the winning shot with 1.2 seconds remaining.
More than just the Pacers surviving 104-102 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, Vogel ducked the darts and criticism that were sure to come his way had his plan backfired.
The boldest move of the night was also the right one. Made by a coach who needed to change course and search for something — anything — to break his team out of a six-game road slump and overall monthlong malaise.
"I've been teasing with it the whole month of March and every time I choose to not rest them and play our guys, (they) play poorly and we have consequences to it," Vogel said. "The way we've been playing over the last month is concerning. The way we played against Atlanta was disturbing and something needs to be done."
Vogel said those words like a man sure and confident of his controversial decision. Rarely would a team rest five starters this late in the season with this much at stake. Even when it comes to what's at stake for the man making the final call.
Vogel said that he consulted with Larry Bird, the team's president of basketball operations, and his staff and together came to the conclusion that the starters needed a rest. Although the rest was a "group decision," only one person would carry the blame had it not worked. That would be the same man who after the game calmly diffused any growing concern over his future with the Pacers.
"I didn't feel like I had pressure on me," Vogel said. "I have no concern about my job security. I'll just leave it at that."
Even so, it would be hard to defend this move had the Pacers not won in Milwaukee, losing an opportunity to take advantage of the Miami Heat's loss in Memphis on Wednesday. But here's the beauty of hindsight — Vogel turned to nine bench guys and got an eight-assist night from Donald Sloan, a near triple-double from Evan Turner (23 points, nine assists and seven rebounds) and a season-high 24 points from Luis Scola. Even better for the Pacers: With the win, they're back atop the Eastern Conference standings with a head-to-head matchup against the Heat with rested starters.
"This is definitely a good win for us," said Rasual Butler, who contributed 10 points. "It was a big energy boost. Those guys were cheering us on like crazy. It was just really good to get a win knowing that all your main guys are resting."
Now, it's easy to look back over how the Pacers' second unit shot 48.2 percent and note how the five starters got much-needed rest. However, the plan was the right one from the start. Even if it showed the coach conceding that his original regular-season plan needed adjustment. Vogel made the bold move, dodged the criticism and the Pacers are back in first. Just like nothing ever happened.
Call Star reporter Candace Buckner at (317) 444-6121 or email candace.buckner@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.