INDIANAPOLIS — When Mikal Bridges’ midrange shot isn’t falling, it’s maddening to watch.

Perplexing.

He has the ball with enough room and time to drive to the hoop, with the length, it appears, to either convert a layup or draw a foul. You scream at the court, or the television, “Drive to the hoop!”

But that’s not Bridges’ game. He instead turns away from the basket and fades away or passes out to the perimeter. Oftentimes, he converts that midrange jumper. But sometimes, like Tuesday’s consequential loss to the Pacers, he misses.