Post-Game Grades: Indiana Pacers Rally On the Road to Take Down Houston Rockets
By Ryan Barth
Final. 108. 169. 117. 100
The Indiana Pacers secure a crucial road win against a dominant West Conference opponent in the Houston Rockets.
The Good: The bench was huge scoring 48 points and providing the spark the team desperately needed in the 2nd quarter to come back from an early 17-point deficit.
Houston took another absurd amount of three-point attempts, but the Pacers finally extended their perimeter defense out far enough to hold the Rockets to just 22% (10-45) from long range.
The Bad: It got messy late in the 4th quarter when the Rockets fought all the way back to within two points, but great to see the out-of-bounds Nate Mac timeout special to dial up C.J. Miles for a wide open corner three.
What sort of sorcery is this?pic.twitter.com/2g3tarS3RD
— 8 Points, 9 Seconds (@8pts9secs) February 28, 2017
A lot of questionable free throws tonight which you’ll have with James Harden on the floor, but the Pacers really need to find a way to defend without fouling so much (Houston with 42 free throw attempts).
MVP: Jeff Teague put the team on his back (25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists), made all 12 of his free throws, and defended well. He does this more and more often.
LVP: Thad Young missed quite a few bunnies at the rim. He still might be hesitant to dunk with the tender wrist.
X-Factor: Rakeem Christmas is consistently showing he’s more than just a D-League fill in and an extra big to keep around. He’s becoming the Energizer Bunny this team needs off the bench.
B-. Looked lost early in the game and was saddled with foul trouble throughout. He kept a lid on James Harden in the 4th quarter and still posted a nice line (15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists).. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE
A. He’ll get his triple-double one of these days, especially if he can keep playing like this. You’ll take 42% from 3-point land any day.. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. JEFF TEAGUE
Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER. B. Myles battled down low and swatted another 3 shots tonight. He was efficient with 12 points and 6 rebounds.. Center
Still waiting for his breakout game after returning from injury. 8 points and 5 rebounds for the glue guy.. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG. C
B-. Barely saw the floor with just 9 minutes, but he didn’t miss while scoring 5 points.. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON III
B. Led the team in +/- (+24). What Monta giveth (8 assists), he taketh away (6 turnovers). You’ll always take 12 points and 7 rebounds from him. It might be time to get Monta the ball a bit more.. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. MONTA ELLIS
Monster 3-pointer from the corner to close the door on the Rockets. Made 3-5 from long range for 9 points.. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. C.J. MILES. A-
A-. Rodney’s 2nd quarter was a thing of beauty. He fought hard to keep this team in the game early and extend the lead late. The spark off the bench produced again with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. RODNEY STUCKEY
B+. He did all the dirty work in the trenches grabbing 11 rebounds and pitching in 4 assists.. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. LAVOY ALLEN
Becoming a pick and roll beast in tandem with Monta Ellis. Made 4-5 shots for 10 points and 3 rebounds prompting many fans to wonder what might happen to his minutes in the rotation when Al Jefferson’s dental issues subside.. PF. Indiana Pacers. RAKEEM CHRISTMAS. A-