Post-Game Grades: Pacers Really, Really Stink It Up Against the Knicks

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Wow. Just … wow.

Not going to waste much time on this, other than to say that this is the second game in a week where it was relatively obvious that the Pacers were going to lose by the end of the first quarter. They managed a paltry 65.5 points per 100 possession in a first half, where a lousy 90 per 100 would have left them down 7, instead of 19.

The Knicks did play very aggressively defensively, but were far from smothering. Indiana was just plain soft, and other than a feeble effort in the second quarter that died when Paul George could neither make a dunk nor free throws, resigned.

These two teams do it again tomorrow. The Pacers better not do this again … if you know what I mean.

Here is how each guy played individually tonight. Agree? Disagree? Express your thoughts below in the comments or yell at me (@8pts9secs) or Tim (@TimDonahue8p9s) on Twitter.

David West, PF 23 MIN | 3-6 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 8 PTS
Ineffective at both ends.
Danny Granger, SF 26 MIN | 4-15 FG | 5 REB | 9 PTS
Signature play of the night came late in the 1st half. Tyson Chandler bobbled and lost the ball on the baseline, as he and Danny went for it, Chandler put his arm out more as a signal than any physical play. Danny stopped, and Chandler tracked down the ball and laid it in as Granger watched.
Roy Hibbert, C 24 MIN | 2-10 FG | 0-1 FT | 3 REB | 4 PTS
Everything you doubt and fear about Roy Hibbert was on display tonight.
Darren Collison, PG 28 MIN | 4-7 FG | 7-7 FT | 4 AST | 15 PTS
He was the best starter tonight. Not a compliment.
Paul George, SG 24 MIN | 2-6 FG | 0-2 FT | 6 REB | 5 PTS
Two great defensive plays, surrounded by a whole lot of nothing. Made an incredible power move to the bucket in the second quarter, but missed the dunk as he was fouled … and the two free throws that ensued. It was that kind of night.
Dahntay Jones, SG 25 MIN | 3-6 FG | 5-7 FT | 13 PTS
He scored 13, but I have to believe most of it was after I stopped watching, and long after anything mattered.
Louis Amundson, C 14 MIN | 3-5 FG | 1 REB | 6 PTS
Was the best center on the team tonight. Also, not a compliment.
A.J. Price, G 15 MIN | 4-8 FG | 3-3 FT |2 AST | 14 PTS
See Dahntay.
George Hill, SG 22 MIN | 3-6 FG | 5-6 FT | 4 AST | 12 PTS
Another decent statistical game for his role … but utterly meaningless.
Tyler Hansbrough, PF 26 MIN | 3-7 FG | 6-6 FT | 6 REB | 12 PTS
There’s a very bright line between good Tyler and bad Tyler. Good Tyler is aggressive and decisive. Bad Tyler can be summed up in one word: dithering. Not going to give him any credit for a nice line prettied up in garbage time. When he had a chance to have an impact early, he was all about the dithering.
Jeff Pendergraph, F 6 MIN | 4 REB | 1 AST | 0 PTS
Didn’t see the floor until long after things were decided, but didn’t hurt himself or others. Interested in seeing if he starts to get minutes during games that are in question.
Lance Stephenson, SG 8 MIN | 1-4 FG | 2 AST | 2 PTS
Played … or at least that’s the rumor.