Post-Game Grades: Pacers Demolish Bucks — And How

The Pacers’ starting lineup scored 29 points in the first quarter as four players hit 8-of-11 shots. George Hill was the only guy who didn’t start off blazing, knocking down just 1-of-5 shots in the period. But it really didn’t matter. Indiana was so far ahead (31 to 21) that Milwaukee was essentially dead in the water. Sure, 10 points is by no means an insurmountable lead in this league, but the way the Pacers are playing these days, the next 36 minutes just seemed like an inevitable victory.

Which it was.

The Bucks shot a woeful 26.9% in the second quarter, which gave them an embarrassing 37 points on 53 shots at the half (not to mention only 2 free-throw attempts). Sometimes the better team is just that much better. It was a wrap.

Milwaukee didn’t completely give up, but Roy Hibbert continued to body all comers and Paul George once again played like the third best wing in the NBA. At this point, both guys are so confident, so calm and so willing to take good shots only that mediocre defenses really can’t do much to stop the onslaught. And just in case anyone on Milwaukee was unsure just how eager Hibbert was to own the paint, he swatted 8 shots for kicks and giggles.

Luis Scola was the highlight off the bench. He has slowly become a reliable, potent weapon, and he was active and quick to attack the glass this evening.

Though it was a runaway victory, another great sign for Indiana was the ball control. They managed to give up just 9 turnovers and were even better at ensuring that the mistakes didn’t cause much damage, with Milwaukee putting up 2 points on those takeaways.

Yup. Another beat down. Ho hum.

Here is how each guy played individually tonight. Agree? Disagree? Express your thoughts below in the comments or yell at Jared (@8pts9secs) or Tim (@TimDonahue8p9s) on Twitter.

Not much action to speak of with barely any shot attempts.

Paul George, SF

30 MIN | 10-18 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 22 PTS | +20

It’s getting to the point that the only thing that ever takes away from his efficiency is when his three-point shooting is a bit off. He played wonderful defense and exploited matchups all night long. His third quarter was impressive, particularly the sequence when he iso’d Luke Ridnour for a fadeaway jumper then hit a three right after.

Roy Hibbert, C

31 MIN | 8-10 FG | 8-8 FT | 10 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 8 BLK | 5 TO | 24 PTS | +19

DPOY so far and it’s not close. Like George, he dominated in the third as well, showing a savvy shot for an and-one and another little scoop lay-in that gave him another three-point play. It’s getting to the point that a lot of opponents just don’t have the bigs to keep up. The Bucks were exactly that tonight. (Perfect at the line also.)

George Hill, PG

33 MIN | 4-13 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 5 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 1 TO | 9 PTS | +19

Not his night, but played some solid defense, at times completely swallowing Ridnour.

Lance Stephenson, SG

24 MIN | 4-10 FG | 3-4 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 11 PTS | -4

A bit shaky.

If this is how he now plays every night, the Pacers are on their way to having one of the better benches in the league. His hustle mentality and knack for knowing where missed shots are going helped Indiana grab a bunch of boards.

Chris Copeland, SF

3 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 6 PTS | +5

Garbage time.

Solomon Hill, SF

19 MIN | 0-2 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | +15

OK.

Ian Mahinmi, C

17 MIN | 1-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 2 PTS | +8

Right on.

C.J. Watson, PG

25 MIN | 3-3 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 6 PTS | +14

Didn’t miss a shot. Such a Pacer.

Donald Sloan, PG

3 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | +5

Garbage time.

Orlando Johnson, SG

10 MIN | 3-5 FG | 1-1 FT | 2 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 7 PTS | +12

Dude can score.