Turner’s Blocks Give Pacers Something to Build on

He's averaging 15.9 points, shooting 54 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from the 3-point line, and leads the team in rebounding at 7.4 per game.

And yet, the most impressive and important number on Myles Turner's stat line for this season is 2.3. That's his average for blocked shots, which offers both tangible and intangible benefits to the Pacers' defense, which has been the ignition to their offense.

Turner had four blocks in the Pacers' victory over Houston on Sunday, including one on James Harden in the fourth quarter. That block wasn't particularly consequential to the outcome, but was a crucial part of a bigger picture. His improving rim protection influenced Paul George's…