Post-Game Grades: Indiana Pacers Get Dismantled by the Denver Nuggets
By Luke Parrish
73. 117. 100. Final. 125
The Indiana Pacers end their streak of alternating wins and losses with a brutal loss to the Denver Nuggets.
The Good: Myles and Paul hit some shots early. There was a furious comeback late, but when you dig yourself a 23 point hole and expect to win.
The Bad: Denver just dominated all night. The Pacers never held a lead in this game.
MVP: Nikola Jokic. He had 21 points, 12 boards, and 4 assists… by the half. He ended the night with 30 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 assists.
LVP: This was a team loss, simple as that.
X-Factor: Field Goals. The Nuggets shot light out in the first quarter to establish the early lead. Indiana (and the Nuggets) played bad defense and were punished for it. Losing a rotation player in Glenn Robinson III probably didn’t help either.
Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE. B. PG got off to a hot start early picking up where he left off in Boston. However, George cooled off and wasn’t able to impact the game much in the second half.
C+. Teague was quiet early but caught on towards the end.. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. JEFF TEAGUE
C+. The birthday boy protected the rim well, but he still appears to be in a shooting slump.. Center. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG. C-. Thad made a few plays here and there but was uninvolved for the most part.
Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. MONTA ELLIS. B-. Monta played well off the bench, especially early with his playmaking.
Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. C.J. MILES. D+. 3J was not there tonight. He didn’t hit a three through the first three quarters.
B-. Al has picked it up the last few games, and tonight he didn’t look as unwatchable as before.. Center. Indiana Pacers. AL JEFFERSON
Indiana Pacers. AARON BROOKS. B-. Brooks hit some shots and finished in double figures, which is good to see.. Point Guard
D+. Another night, another Rodney Stuckey let down. Stuck should not be in the lineup with Brooks and Ellis.. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. RODNEY STUCKEY
B. Another typical Lavoy night with hustle and rebounding to provide some energy for the second unit.. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. LAVOY ALLEN