Indiana Pacers receive heavy praise in Eastern Conference Weekly and Monthly awards

The Pacers strong December was noticed by the NBA

The NBA announced two groups of award winners in the past three days, and while the Indiana Pacers did not win any of them, they were nominated for several.

First up was the Eastern Conference Player of the Week award, which was given out on Monday to the player in the East who had the best performances in games that spanned from December 26 through January 1.

Washington Wizards forward Kristaps Porzingis took home the hardware, but three different Pacers were finalists for the award in Myles Turner, Buddy Hield, and Tyrese Haliburton.

For Turner, this is his fourth nomination this season. He averaged 20 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in four games during the week and shot nearly 60% from the field. He was excellent against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 31, scoring 34 points in a win.

Hield averaged 20.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game during the week. He knocked down an absurd 62.5% (20/32) of his three-point shots during the four games, including two games of over 80% accuracy from deep on six-plus attempts. His offense was terrific. It was Hield's third player of the week nomination of the season.

Haliburton continued to play like a star. He posted averages of 22 points and eight assists per game during the games, and he made several impressive clutch baskets. His improved late-game play has played a huge part in Indiana's impressive results the last few weeks. It was the 22-year old guards fifth nomination for Eastern Conference Player of the Week this season, including one win.

Indiana went 3-1 during the week and climbed even higher in the Eastern Conference standings.

Haliburton, along with Hield, were also nominees for Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for December. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid rightfully took home the trophy. Haliburton, as well as Turner, were nominated for Eastern Conference Player of the Month in November.

In December, Haliburton averaged 23.1 points and 8.7 assists per game in 14 games. Hield averaged 18.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting over 50% from long-range in 16 games. The Pacers went 8-8.

After winning Rookie of the Month in the East back in November, Bennedict Mathurin was a nominee in December. Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero took home the trophy this time. Mathurin averaged 14.7 points per game while receiving more attention on opposing scouting reports.

Fellow Pacers rookie Andrew Nembhard was also a nominee for Rookie of the Month in the Eastern Conference. It was his second nomination for best rookie in a month this season. He scored 9.2 points per game and played impressive defense, and he had a dominant performance against the Golden State Warriors.

For the second-straight month, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was nominated for Eastern Conference Coach of the Month. He guided his team to a .500 record against a tough schedule and has the blue and gold firmly in the playoff picture. Brooklyn Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn won the award.

"I don't think it's a stretch to say that," Carlisle said when asked if the team is playing the best it has all season after a win over the Clippers. The veteran head coach has done an excellent job setting up his players to succeed.

The Pacers are already 1-0 in January and will look to keep their momentum going against Embiid and the 76ers on Wednesday night.

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