Post-Game Grades: The Indiana Pacers Defense Holds Off the Boston Celtics
By Ben Gibson
The Indiana Pacers had to play until the final shot but thanks to the team’s best defensive effort of the season the Pacers picked up their second straight win with a victory over the Boston Celtics. After getting both wins in the back-to-back the Pacers get a day off before taking on the Miami Heat on Friday.
It came down to the final possession but Paul George kept a hand in the face of Avery Bradley as he missed the potential game-winning shot.
100. Final. 98. 18. 100
The Good: Monta Ellis was fouled (for no good reason) by Avery Bradley with 13 seconds remaining in the game. With the score knotted at 98-98 Ellis calming sank his free throws to give the game its final tally and the Indiana Pacers the win.
The Bad: That this didn’t count.
i have never seen anything like this pic.twitter.com/h5sibDmgW9
— James Herbert (@outsidethenba) November 5, 2015
MVP: As much as I want to give it to Jordan Hill (more on that in a moment), Paul George earned it for finally getting into a groove scoring over 26 points. It was his second best shooting night this season (44.4%) and clearly his best from beyond the arc as he made 5 of 11 3-pointers. He picked up the double-double with 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and only had a pair of turnovers.
LVP: Fox Sports Indiana for lingering on this shot for too long.
Pick and Roll pic.twitter.com/ZwXRF9f6a0
— Ben Gibson (@CowboyOnPatrol) November 5, 2015
X-Factor: Jordan Hill had a great game with 16 points and 10 rebounds as he came out of the gate at full speed with full effort and never let up. After terming him “actively harmful” in the first two games, I’m happy to say he was actively helpful in tonight’s victory.
A. <p>His best night of the year in points with 26 and came up big defensively challenging Avery Bradley’s shot in the final possession.</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE
Indiana Pacers. MONTA ELLIS. B+. <p>The two free throws at the end earned the Indiana Pacers the win and added 5 rebounds and 8 assists. He had 13 points in total and while it wasn’t a great shooting night for him as he went 5 of 15 and ultimately he made shots when it mattered most.</p><p><span style=. Shooting Guard
B-. <p>Struggled shooting the ball and settled for a 2 of 10 shooting night but still contributed with 2 rebounds and 4 assists while on the defensive end his active hands created 3 steals and frustrated Boston all night.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. GEORGE HILL
RODNEY STUCKEY. C. <p>Not his best night with a 3 of 10 shooting but one of those makes was a 3-pointer with 7 minutes left that gave the Pacers the lead.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers
JORDAN HILL. A+. <p>Forced into more action than usual with Ian Mahinmi sitting out with a bad back, Jordan Hill was active on the court from the opening whistle and fought for 16 points and 10 rebounds. We’ve given him plenty of grief but in a close game his contributions tilted the scoreboard the Pacers’ direction.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers
Center. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER. C. <p>Not great, not bad. He scored 7 points and 4 rebounds.</p>
Indiana Pacers. LAVOY ALLEN. B. <p>He had 7 points on a night where he shot 3 of 8 from the field but his biggest influence on the game were his 11 rebounds.</p>. Power Forward
CHASE BUDINGER. C+. <p>Budinger had 4 points on 2 of 6 shooting while also bringing down 4 rebounds to go with 1 steal and 1 assist.</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON. B. <p>Robinson made his Pacers debut to the tune of 10 points on 3 of 4 shooting from the field and 4 of 5 from the foul line. His stats don’t show all of what he did in 19 minutes but still, 75% shooting is pretty good if you ask me.</p>. Small Forward