Post-Game Grades: Indiana Pacers Don’t Get Caught in the Moment, Beat Lakers
20. 107. 100. Final. 103
The Indiana Pacers pulled out a tight win over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center, 107-103, behind a 39 point night from Cali native Paul George.
The Good:
The all-around play of Paul George takes the cake here. The California native is not only the definite MVP of this Pacers team but is beginning to establish himself as a potential MVP candidate for players not named Steph Curry. His 39 points drove Indiana to victory on a night where the offense couldn’t hit consistently and his playmaking ability swung momentum in his favor in the whole of the second half.
Plus, this:
The Bad:
41% from the floor, 33% from long range, and the Los Angeles Lakers were within one Kobe Bryant three-pointer of potentially knocking off the Pacers before PG hit the free throw line. In 2009, that statement would be big for Indiana. In 2015, it’s completely backward.
To be fair, no one really saw the freakish play of Swaggy P coming in with his 22 points off the bench including six three’s, but he kept L.A. hanging around until “Bean” nearly helped them finish off their midwest guests. Fortunately for the Blue & Gold, it’s a road win followed by two days rest. Positives.
MVP:
Paul George. Again, 39 points, stone cold killer distance bombs, etc.
Paul George has a message, five seconds after Nick Young made a 3 in his grill https://t.co/ysf5qiHDse
— Jared Wade (@Jared_Wade) November 30, 2015
X-Factor:
Monta Ellis wins this one tonight. He hasn’t had the best run of games for Indiana but took a lot of pressure off Paul George with a couple of key buckets in the fourth quarter as part of a 15 point performance on 5-7 shooting. As the free agent signing settles more with the Pacers offense it’s a hope that he catches consistency and continues to stay solid defensively. Also, as referenced below, “SMOTHERED CHICKEN!”
A. <p>Paul George did it all tonight and again reached 30 points for the 3rd time this season. Defensively, he’s maintaining his status as a top three two-way player in the game and was no slouch this evening. <strong><a href=. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE
MONTA ELLIS. A-. <p>This may have been the best game we’ve seen from Monta Ellis in a Pacers uniform as the veteran contributed in every category. Ellis was able to shine when Indiana needed him most, hitting tough buckets in the fourth quarter when the Blue & Gold had to stop pumping the ball to Paul George for a possession or two. Perhaps most important, though, was his absolute stuff on <strong><a href=. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers
B-. <p>An average night for the Pacers quarterback, Hill contributed double digits in points (11), along with six rebounds and three assists. Additionally, Indy tallied just four steals tonight but the Hometown Hero snagged two of them.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. GEORGE HILL
C-. <p>Lately, I’ve loved the play of <strong><a href=. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. C.J. MILES
A-. <p>Another efficient night for the starting center, Mahinmi had eight points and ten rebounds on 2-3 shooting including 4-6 from the line when the “Hack-a-Ian” went into full effect. Not yet the established post defender Indy needs, he still managed a couple of blocks and was a bright spot in an unnecessarily close contest.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. IAN MAHINMI
<p>Not a great night in L.A., Stuckey still managed to hit for 11/7/2 on 3-11 shooting. He wasn’t able to find a rhythm from midrange or near the basket and posted a -9 on the floor, the lowest of any Pacer who played. None of this matters because Indy closed shop, but he played solid defensively as well.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. RODNEY STUCKEY. C
B-. <p>Though he missed the game against Chicago, <strong><a href=. Center. Indiana Pacers. JORDAN HILL
<p>Lavoy wasn’t able to make a major impact on the game and played a role in the ugly second quarter that LA outscored the Pacers in, 23-20. He did post six points and seven boards, but he was unable to reach the heights of his Friday numbers against the Bulls.</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. LAVOY ALLEN. C+
D. <p>Budinger wasn’t hardly around in this one, scoring just two points on 1-3 shooting after a couple straight lofty performances.</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. CHASE BUDINGER