Post-Game Grades: Pacers, Green Jump All Over Cavs

With 52 points from the bench – led by Gerald Green’s 20 – the Indiana Pacers ran the Cleveland Cavaliers out of the gym to notch their 41st win of the season. The 111-90 victory puts them within 2 of clinching a playoff spot, but it’s difficult to tell whether this game told us anything more profound than the fact the Pacers vastly outclass the Kyrie Irving-less Cavs.

Still, it was a strong performance that had quite a bit of fun to it. Don’t really track these things, but between Lance, PG, and Gerald Green, this had to be the game with the most ridiculous dunks by the Pacers…ever? Gerald Green made it back into the rotation, and hit shots. Really, that’s all he needs to do to be productive. (Though it sounds much simpler than it really is.)

Tyler Hansbrough started for David West, and got his second double-double in two starts. Jeff Pendergraph delivered 11 points off the bench, including his first career three pointer. Perhaps more impressively, he dished four assists.

Indiana is back in The Fieldhouse tomorrow night to face the Orlando Magic, hoping to repeat their clubbing-baby-seals act of tonight. They can’t waste the opportunity with five teams within four games of them. Only 15 more tilts left before the second season starts.

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.

Did Tyler stuff. Watching him against bad frontlines reminds you of his success in college.

Paul George, SF

25 MIN | 5-9 FG | 4-5 FT | 4 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 5 TO | 14 PTS | +14

He was this close to a great game. Was a little sloppy in the third, but played the first half like someone who knew he was the best player on the floor. Good to see with West out.

Roy Hibbert, C

28 MIN | 4-10 FG | 4-5 FT | 9 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 5 BLK | 2 TO | 12 PTS | +24

Offense is still largely a mess, but protected the rim.

George Hill, PG

22 MIN | 2-7 FG | 4-4 FT | 2 REB | 7 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 9 PTS | +19

Didn’t shoot well, but love the assist numbers.

Lance Stephenson, SG

22 MIN | 3-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 6 PTS | +19

Hit two pretty questionable shots, and had one ridiculous dunk.

Garbage time.

Jeff Pendergraph, PF

25 MIN | 4-8 FG | 2-2 FT | 7 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 2 TO | 11 PTS | 0

Once again, played well with extended minutes. The three was fun, but the four assist were impressive. Nice passing night.

Sam Young, SF

5 MIN | 0-2 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -3

Garbage time.

Gerald Green, SF

23 MIN | 7-13 FG | 2-2 FT | 6 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 20 PTS | +7

Played well for the first time since…the last time Indy was in Cleveland. Still has inhuman hops, but hitting shots makes all the difference in the world. The bench needs points, and if he could just shoot an acceptable percentage…

Ian Mahinmi, C

15 MIN | 4-7 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 8 PTS | 0

Most impressive play was his block. Best play was catching a deflected pass and getting a bucket. If he could get more reliable hands…

Ben Hansbrough, PG

5 MIN | 0-1 FG | 2-2 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | -3

Garbage time.

D.J. Augustin, PG

21 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 4 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 3 PTS | +5

Solid

Orlando Johnson, SG

21 MIN | 3-6 FG | 1-2 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 8 PTS | +5

Interesting how much Vogel lets him handle the ball. Allows the 2 position to be used more consistently between him and Lance.