Post-Game Grades: Indiana Pacers Grind Out Win Over Phoenix Suns
By Jay Neal
94. 66. 109. 100. Final
Indiana Pacers use big 4th quarter to pull away from the Phoenix Suns, even their record at 2-2 on the West Coast road trip.
The Good: Aggressiveness. The Indiana Pacers relentlessly attacked the paint all night, which led to 41 free throw attempts and 31 fouls called against the Phoenix Suns. Indiana has had 35 or more free throw attempts in each of the last four games.
Also, the Pacers out-rebounded the Suns 49-40, including three huge offensive rebounds in the last four minutes to effectively seal the game.
The Bad: Turnovers. It’s been a problem at times this year, but the Pacers were utterly careless with the ball in the first half with 12 turnovers.
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They took better care of the ball after the break, but 18 turnovers is too many on most nights.
MVP: Paul George. The superstar picked his spots most of the night, but showed up when his team needed him most. He scored. He assisted. He rebounded. He played shutdown defense. Basically, he did PG-13 stuff.
LVP: Monta Ellis. He never got into the flow of the game and played his usual brand of below average defense. Not a great combination.
X-Factor: Bench production. Rodney Stuckey and Al Jefferson both scored in double figures. Indiana’s bench has one of the worst point differentials in the league, but the two vets gave the Pacers much needed boost to keep the team in the game.
An average shooting night, yes, but scored 25 points, collected 13 rebounds, three steals, and shut down Devin Booker in the 4th quarter.. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE. A
Did absolutely nothing offensively in the first half, but scored five points in the 3rd quarter. Didn’t play in the 4th quarter as the Pacers made their run to close the game.. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. MONTA ELLIS. D
A-. Much like PG, not the best shooting night, but got into the paint multiple times and drew fouls. Scored 19 points with 11 assists and five boards.. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. JEFF TEAGUE
MYLES TURNER. B. Scored 20 points on 7 of 11 shooting, including 3 three-pointers, but only grabbed four rebounds. Defense was an issue at times, but an otherwise solid game.. Center. Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG. B-. Scored nine points and grabbed nine rebounds. However, he had four turnovers, a couple of which were some of the ugliest turnovers you could imagine.. Power Forward
B+. Continued his strong play with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Also worth nothing that he took Ellis’ 4th quarter minutes and the team looked just fine. When he’s healthy, he’s been a net positive.. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. RODNEY STUCKEY
C-. Scored 2 points and missed all five of his three-point attempts. A rare off-night from the field.. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. C.J. MILES
B+. Scored 15 points, drew fouls, and got to the free throw line. About all you can ask for.. Center. Indiana Pacers. AL JEFFERSON
AARON BROOKS. C. Didn’t do much 11 minutes of action.. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers
C. Pacers Twitter’s new favorite player hasn’t done much off the bench this year. This game was no different.. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON III