Post-Game Grades: West, Watson Appear, Magic Disappear
By Tim Donahue
The Good: With a daunting road trip looming – at Cleveland, Phoenix, Portland, and Sacramento – the Pacers needed this win. They were dominant on the glass in the first half, before blowing the game open in the third. David West returned with 16 points, while C.J. Watson was a perfect 4-for-4 with four assists in his first action this season. Lavoy Allen (10 points, 14 boards) and Solomon Hill continued to contribute.
Indiana has now won six of its last nine contests, leaving them very much in position to be a playoff team, once healthy.
The Bad:The Pacers fell in love with the long 2 in the second quarter, with 10 of their final 14 1st half shots coming from between 16 feet and the three-point line. This lazy offense resulted in the Pacers holding only a 2-point lead in a game where it felt like they were outplaying the visiting Magic by a wider margin.
MVP: Lots of candidates tonight, but we’ll give it to Lavoy Allen. His 10 first half boards kept the Magic from putting together any kind of rhythm, and he has been the poster child for a Pacer team that has – much to everyone’s surprise – even more “smashmouth” than their more talented 2013-14 edition.
LVP: C.J. Miles…it’s time to move past the 1-for-8 stage of the C.J. Miles experience.
X-Factor: Rebounding. The Pacers pounded Orlando on the glass, outscoring the Magic 18-2 in second chance points.
 | David West, PF 24 MIN | 8-17 FG | 1-2 FT | 6 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 18 PTS | +13Before the game, Pacer Coach Frank Vogel said, “We’re smarter with David West out there.” The 16 points were great, but you could see him settle back into his pivotal role at both ends almost seamlessly. Good to have him back. |  |
Solomon Hill, SF 30 MIN | 4-11 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 11 PTS | +12Quietly gave the Pacers a good floor game. Contributing without being flashy is just another step in his evolution.
Ian Mahinmi, C 19 MIN | 3-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 6 PTS | +5Solid, but unexciting, which is fine, as adventures with backup centers in a starting role tend to be harrowing.
Rodney Stuckey, PG 29 MIN | 9-15 FG | 6-6 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 3 TO | 24 PTS | +14An efficient 24 points.
Donald Sloan, PG 30 MIN | 3-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 9 REB | 6 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 6 PTS | +7Like the rebounds and assists, but they belie his struggles to run the offense tonight. It ran better with the ball out of his hands.
Shayne Whittington, PF 2 MIN | 0-0 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 0 PTS | -1Le temps des ordures
Luis Scola, PF 22 MIN | 2-8 FG | 1-2 FT | 8 REB | 2 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 5 PTS | +1Went nuts with the steals in the first half, hit the boards hard
Lavoy Allen, PF 28 MIN | 5-11 FG | 0-0 FT | 14 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 10 PTS | +12Both Vogel and David West said they were sure how they were going to do it, but Lavoy Allen has to continue to get minutes, even after everyone is healthy. They aren’t kidding. Absolute beast on the boards for the Pacers this year.
Chris Copeland, SF 15 MIN | 2-5 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 5 PTS | -1Quiet night, but nice sequence of draining three then getting a steal.
C.J. Watson, PG 18 MIN | 4-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 9 PTS | +8Really can’t ask for much more than this in his return.
C.J. Miles, SG 21 MIN | 1-8 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 4 PTS | +5Has got to start hitting shots.