Post-Game Grades: Pacers Play Great Late, Beat the Magic Convincingly
By Jared Wade
97. 100. Final. 84. 38
The Good: The fourth-quarter defense and general recovery after it looked like they might piss this game away. The Magic scored just 13 points on 4-of-14 shooting as Indiana recorded 5 steals and forced 7 turnovers overall in the final period. This came after a lackluster third quarter in which they were getting badly outplayed before closing on a 6-0 run.
The Bad: Sloppiness and overall dusty play throughout. Paul George was incredible in the first quarter, scoring 19 of his team’s first 23 points, but he turned into a pumpkin for the rest of the game. He wasn’t the lone problem, but his 6 turnovers were mostly careless and set the tone for nonchalant nonsense all around. For the game, the Pacers coughed up 18 turnovers that led to an incredible 34 Magic points. Unacceptable.
MVP: George Hill. He scored 11 points in the second quarter and was solid from then on, throwing down a mighty dunk on the break in the fourth quarter then icing the game on a step-back 3-pointer after an absolutely disrespectful between-the-legs move that extinguished Elfrid Payton’s soul.
LVP: Monta Ellis. He shot 1-of-9 and scored just 2 points in 33 minutes. Frank Vogel had to be hoping better things were afoot for his scoring game after Monta scored a Pacers career high against the Cavs, but … not so much.
X-Factor: Chase Budinger. He hit two 3-pointers in the second half and recorded two excellent assists on back-to-back possessions — leading Ian Mahinmi perfectly for a layup then hitting PG off a screen for an open 3 — that helped Indiana pull away and step on Orlando’s throat box.
B+. <p>Great start. Not a lot to like after that.</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE
<p>Nope.</p><p><span style=. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. MONTA ELLIS. F
<p>He has been the team’s MVP so far this year. And never has it been more apparent then while he seemed to, not only keep his cool as everyone else was freaking out and playing pointless basketball, but realize that doing so is now his responsibility.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. GEORGE HILL. A+
B. <p>Not phenomenal overall, but he was playing with a banged up ankle and the two 3s he hit in the third quarter while nothing else was going well may have been the difference in not letting the Magic gain enough confidence to hold onto their lead. Huge shots in a time that is never considered “clutch,” but was nonetheless vital to this win.</p>. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. C.J. MILES
Indiana Pacers. IAN MAHINMI. A. <p>Good D, crafty up-and-under finishes, excellent touch around the rim, great hands. Wait. What??</p>. Center
A+. <p>He probably shouldn’t have even been on the floor and then he rolled his ankle badly again. But he’s Rodney Stuckey, constructed of concrete and nails, so he just tied his sneaker tighter, ran through some half-court drills, and said put me in coach.</p><p><a href=. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. RODNEY STUCKEY
B. <p>Goods and bads, which of course because Jordy is a tale of two cities.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. JORDAN HILL
<p>Double-digits scoring from the young one, with 2 of those points coming on a turnaround jump hook with the shot-clock waning.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER. A-
A. <p>Best game as a Pacer by a long shot.</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. CHASE BUDINGER
C. <p>4 minutes. Did nothing of note.</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON