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Hibbert honest about Pacers' defensive deficiencies of late

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Let's be clear about something. Aside from the fact they play in the Eastern Conference, the reason the Indiana Pacers are still remotely sniffing the possibility of the playoffs this season is their defense. 

Despite the fact the team has had an injury situation from hell this season, they are still 10th in the league in defensive rating, allowing 101.1 points per 100 possessions. This while their offense has been anemic at times – thanks in part to the absences of Paul George (entire season to this point) and George Hill (missed 39 games). 

However, the Pacers are wavering defensively of late and it's pretty much the worst time to have that happen. Since March 3, they've given up almost a point and a half per possession more than their season average. 

Center Roy Hibbert for one, isn't making excuses. 

"I'm going to give you a real answer, not a (B.S.) answer," Hibbert told Candace Buckner of the Indianapolis Star:

"In the years past, we've been able to earn no calls and get stops ... and I think the easier way out has been to foul, myself included," he said. "I haven't done a good job guarding my own man and sometimes my help rotation is not as good as it has been. Sometimes we foul and that's what's leading the guys to shoot a lot of free throws."

In their last three games alone, Pacer opponents have gotten to the line 89 times. Indiana has lost six straight going into Wednesday's game against the Washington Wizards, with more playoff squads like the Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks up after that. 

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