Post-Game Grades: Charlotte Hornets Swarm And Sting The Indiana Pacers
By Ben Gibson
100. Final. 117. 170. 95
The Indiana Pacers might want to use the All-Star Break as a time to hit the reset button after a miserable performance against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Good: Well let’s see…
No. No. Not that… Nope, nothing good.
The Bad: The Pacers are 2-2 in their final game before the All-Star Break over the past four seasons, and this one looked more like their 81-73 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in 2013. In that game, Monta Ellis scored 23 for the Mavericks, but on Wednesday, he only had 10 points for the Pacers. It looked like Indiana had mentally checked out of the game before it started, but certainly after the Hornets took a 17 point lead into halftime. It may only be one game, but this wasn’t how I pictured the Pacers going into the All-Star Break.
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MVP: It wouldn’t go to any of the Indiana Pacers, so your options for the Charlotte Hornets are Kemba Walker’s 25 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals or Tyler Hansbrough’s garbage time bucket.
LVP: The starters certainly didn’t look inspired either, but the Indiana’s bench was outscored 54-33. I hate to say it looked like they didn’t care, but they played like they were resigned to their fate as the Hornets built up their lead. It is a sour note that will linger in the air until the All-Star Break is over. They face the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 19th and if this version of the Pacers show up, it will be ugly.
X-Factor:Â Indiana was out shot from the 3-point line as the Hornets were 12 of 28 from range compared to the Pacers 4 of 18 performance. The 11 turnovers may have been below the Pacers season average of 15.4, but Indiana allowed 20 points off of them.
B. <p>PG was 8 of 18 from the field and 2 of 5 from deep for 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds while handing out 6 assists. Along with George Hill and Ian Mahinmi, they were the only starters without horrific plus-minuses in the game. Good luck in the All-Star Game this weekend, PG.</p><p>Good luck in the All-Star Game this weekend, PG.</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE
D. <p>10 points and 8 rebounds aren’t bad, but 4 of 11 shooting and poor defensive skills showed themselves. He started off scoring in bunches, but that faded away quickly as the Hornets built their lead. One hopes he learns from it as defense has been a weakness for him this season, despite all the blocks he’s racked up in recent weeks.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
MONTA ELLIS. D. <p>10 points and 4 assists, but was part of the Pacers defensive problem. He had some ugly, forced passes that became turnover, which have been a major issue for Indiana.</p><p><span style=. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers
C+. <p>George Hill has 12 points but shot 5 of 12 from the field and 1 of 5 from deep.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. GEORGE HILL
C. <p>8 points and 8 rebounds while not being a horror story.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. IAN MAHINMI
C-. <p>With 8 points on 3 of 11 shooting, we have to assumed C.J. Miles is dead again.</p>. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. C.J. MILES
JORDAN HILL. C-. <p>¯\_(ツ)_/¯</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers
Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. SOLOMON HILL. H. <p>[crying]</p>
E. <p>[sobbing]</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. LAVOY ALLEN
L. <p>[continued crying]</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. CHASE BUDINGER
P. <p>[more sobbing]</p><p><span style=. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG
!. <p>[whimper]</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON