Post-Game Grades: Short Handed Indiana Pacers Fall to Phoenix Suns
By Josh Padmore
66. 96. 100. Final. 116
The Indiana Pacers suffered an ugly loss at home to the Phoenix Suns during the first Hickory game of the season.
The Good: The Pacers got some good work from Myles Turner and were able to get rookie Georges Niang some good run. It’s always good getting that experience early on so you can contribute more in the future. The Pacers made a nice run in the third quarter, but they couldn’t sustain that effort.
The Bad: After two excellent defensive outings, the Pacers allowed 116 points and got out rebounded by 11. They really missed Paul George and it wasn’t good at all to see C.J. Miles go down with a knee injury that kept him out for the rest of the game.
MVP: Jared Dudley. He’s been playing great since moving to Phoenix’s bench. He tallied 16 points on 6-10 shooting and 2-4 shooting from deep. He added 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Also recorded a game-high +25 plus-minus. Was a nightmare cover for the Pacers tonight.
LVP: Monta Ellis. Ellis really struggled with his shot tonight, making just 2 of his 10 attempts. Only scored 9 points in 33 minutes. He, like most of the Pacers’ team, didn’t communicate on the defensive end and it cost them.
X-Factor: Alan Williams. Williams killed the Pacers on the glass and he kept so many possessions alive for the Suns. He got under everybody’s skin. Williams finished the game with a huge 15 points and 15 rebounds in just 25 minutes of action.
C-. Struggled with his shot tonight, hitting just 2 of his 10 field goals. Got to the line 5 times and made all 5 of his free throws. Finished with just 9 points and 4 assists in 33 minutes of action.. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. MONTA ELLIS
B-. Teague provided the Pacers with a lot of offense, but he couldn’t keep his man in front of him at all tonight. That led to open looks for Phoenix. His 6 turnovers were also a major problem for the Pacers. He had another efficient offensive game, though. Finished with 21 points on 6-10 shooting with 7 assists.. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. JEFF TEAGUE
B+. He needs more shots. Myles shot 9-13 from the field, totaling a team high 22 points. He got beat up on the glass a bit and missed three free throws, though. Added 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.. Center. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
C. Struggled containing the Suns on the offensive glass. He knocked down another three-pointer tonight, but only finished with 9 points and 5 rebounds in 32 minutes.. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG
D. Made some attacking plays, but showed clear signs of rust coming back from an 11 game absence due to a strained hamstring. Finished the game with 4 turnovers and 2 points in 13 minutes.. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. RODNEY STUCKEY
C.J. MILES. D. Played 9 minutes before going down with a knee injury that would put him out for the rest of the game. He missed both of his field goal attempts, going scoreless.. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers
D. Brought offense tonight, but once again lost his rotational minutes in the second half due to his lack of defense. He finished with 6 points and 2 rebounds in 5 minutes.. Center. Indiana Pacers. AL JEFFERSON
LAVOY ALLEN. C-. Played 12 minutes, finishing with 4 points and 4 rebounds. Typical Lavoy Allen game, minus the negative plus-minus he posted tonight (-15).. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers. AARON BROOKS. D+. Played 10 minutes off the bench. He struggled defensively and couldn’t really find a rhythm tonight. Finished with 4 points (2-6 shooting) and 3 rebounds.. Point Guard
C. Played his first meaningful minutes of the season due to injuries sustained by the Pacers and lack of effort in the first half. Totaled 16 minutes. His stat sheet didn’t show it, but he made some positive plays out there. Made some rookie plays, too. Finished with 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.. Guard-Forward. Indiana Pacers. GEORGES NIANG
C+. Started the second half with C.J. Miles and Paul George injured. He brought a lot of energy and finished with a solid 9 points (4-6) shooting and 3 rebounds in 25 minutes. He also made some awesome highlight plays, including a block off the backboard and a huge alley-oop dunk.. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON III
Took Al Jefferson’s minutes in the second half once again. Made some nice plays out there, but his effort alone couldn’t help bring the Pacers back. He finished with 6 points and 2 rebounds in 11 minutes.. Center. Indiana Pacers. KEVIN SERAPHIN. C