Post-Game Grades: Magic Pull a Fast One on the Pacers

If the Pacers would have been putting on a magic show tonight it would have ended with Frank Vogel pulling a decapitated rabbit out of a hat. The Pacers at one point led by as many as 17 in the second half but a mix of poor play by the bench and the starters allowed the Magic to claw their way back into the game. There were plenty of individual plays to criticize down the stretch like Paul George pulling up for a 3-pointer with a clear lane or taking on the Magic 1-on-3 in the final seconds, but an 18 minute stretch of turnovers and poor shooting saw that lead disappear. The Pacers were 6 of 19 shooting in the fourth quarter and lost for the first time when they led after three quarters.

The Good – Paul George had one of his best games since the win over Sacramento on Jan. 24.  He tied his season high of five 3-pointers made and led the Pacers with 27 points. Good to see PG get out of his recent funk.

The Bad – That 14-3 run to start the fourth quarter.

MVP – Victor Oladipo and Maurice Harkless turned the tide for Orlando in the second half. Paul George gets it for the Pacers for getting out of his recent funk.

LVP – The entire bench for shooting 6 of 22 in the game.

X-Factor – Victor Oladipo scored 15 points in the last 18 minutes to lead the Magic’s comeback.

Defining Moment –  With 8 minutes left Oladipo knocked down a 21′ jumper to take a 78-77 lead the sparked a personal 7-0 run. The Pacers played from behind the rest of the way and made too many mistakes down the stretch.

Disagree? Want to discuss the grades? Get onto me on twitter at @CowboyOnPatrol

A workman like performance from Mr. West.

Paul George, SF

35 MIN | 10-19 FG | 2-2 FT | 7 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 27 PTS | +5

People are going to over analyze that last play and ignore him pulling up for a 3-pointer earlier when the lane looked open. PG did fine on the night as he had 27 points on while shooting above 50 percent from the field and beyond the arc.

Roy Hibbert, C

34 MIN | 3-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 7 REB | 3 AST | 0 STL | 4 BLK | 3 TO | 6 PTS | +3

Four blocks are great but only seven rebounds and allowing Nikola Vucevic to get seven offensive rebounds when they both were on the floor is a problem. I expect more out of a player who is going to the All-Star game.

George Hill, PG

30 MIN | 5-11 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 7 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 12 PTS | +7

George Hill is playing very well lately and turned in another good outing. Hard to knock him tonight especially when he had a great heads up play in the fourth quarter when he dunked the ball on a breakaway.

Lance Stephenson, SG

39 MIN | 6-11 FG | 2-3 FT | 9 REB | 3 AST | 2 STL | 0 BLK | 5 TO | 16 PTS | +3

A team-high 5 turnovers cancelled out a lot of Lance’s good work.

Luis Scola, PF

15 MIN | 1-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 5 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 2 PTS | -8

The bench went 6 of 22 and helped let that lead slip away in the second half. A +/- of -8 isn’t helping.

Danny Granger, SF

21 MIN | 2-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 5 PTS | -10

Granny Danger was out tonight and we had no trips to the Granger Zone with a +/- of -10.

Ian Mahinmi, C

14 MIN | 1-1 FG | 2-6 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 2 TO | 4 PTS | -4

At least he made his shots… but then went two of six from the free throw line. Ian at least had the distinction of being the bench guy with the best +/- (-4)

C.J. Watson, PG

18 MIN | 2-7 FG | 1-2 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 0 TO | 6 PTS | -8

You get a D+ too for your efforts.

Frank Vogel

I don’t like blaming coaches for a lack of effort but I can’t say Frank didn’t do much to stop the bleeding before it was too late.