Post-Game Grades: Paul George Gets Aggressive as the Indiana Pacers Beat the Washington Wizards
By Ben Gibson
100. Final. 99. 142. 100
The Indiana Pacers needed a pair of Paul George free thows to beat the Washington Wizards.
The Good: The Indiana Pacers went on the road and closed out the fourth quarter. Though the Washington Wizards never led by more than four points, they were keeping the Pacers at arm’s length for most of the period. Jordan Hill’s hook shot finally have the Pacers the lead, but Nene and John Wall split free throws, giving them back the lead with 10.8 seconds left.
However, on the inbound the Pacers got the ball to Paul George who aggressively attacked the basket and was fouled. Unlike the Wizards, PG hit both of his free throws to seal the win.
The Bad: Myles Turner hasn’t been himself lately as he only had 4 points on 2 of 9 shooting. Only 4 rebounds too. He’s 19, he’s a rookie, he’s hitting a wall. No need to panic for the long term.
MVP: Paul George continues his hot streak with 38 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal. He did it efficiently too as he shot 13 of 22 from the field, 4 of 7 from 3-point range, and a perfect 8 of 8 from the free throw line.
LVP: See The Bad above.
More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds
- 2 Studs, 1 dud from gut-wrenching Indiana Pacers loss to Charlotte Hornets
- Handing out early-season grades for Pacers’ Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin
- 3 positives, 2 negatives in Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. Cavaliers
- 2 positives, 3 negatives from first week of Indiana Pacers basketball
- Should Isaiah Jackson’s days with Indiana Pacers be numbered?
X-Factor: Solomon Hill is often the butt of many Pacers fans jokes, and while 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks may not overwhelm you, he played a key role in the win. On the final play, Solo saw that his man was trying to pull him away from John Wall, who took the final shot. Knowing the situation, he peeled off to help Monta Ellis contest Wall’s shot.
Making it just a little harder for Wall to make the shot might have been the differnce between a win and a loss.
<p>That’s two straight games with 30+ points, and in his last eight games he’s averaging 26.5 points on 45.1% shooting. Throw in 7.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists over that period as well, and you have a resurgent Paul George.</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE. A+
MONTA ELLIS. B-. <p>17 points? Good. On 8 of 20 shooting? Not so good. He had 6 rebounds and 4 assists though.</p><p><span style=. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers. GEORGE HILL. B. <p>The Hometown Hero had 15 points on 4 of 10 shooting, including 2 of 6 from deep. He also had 5 assists and 3 rebounds.</p>. Point Guard
D. <p>The Rookie Wall is real.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
C. <p>Only 8 points and 4 rebounds, that’s disappointing. Which, <a href=. Center. Indiana Pacers. IAN MAHINMI
RODNEY STUCKEY. C. <p>Stuckey had 6 points on 2 of 4 shooting. He’s still getting back into the swing of things after missing nearly six weeks.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers
A. <p>Had an important go-ahead basket late and missed out on a double-double with 10 points and 9 rebounds.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. JORDAN HILL
C. <p>Lavoy had 2 points and 5 rebounds, for a very Lavoy like night.</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. LAVOY ALLEN
Indiana Pacers. SOLOMON HILL. B+. <p>Solomon Hill makes smart plays, and has been a defensive specialist for the Indiana Pacers as of late.</p>. Small Forward