The Good: The close out. Indiana fell down by 1 in the fourth quarter after Bradley Beal stole a rebound from Roy Hibbert and then used a Hibbert screen (on Lance Stephenson) to hit a 3. This is where the Pacers of March fold and lose a game they had been controlling all night. Instead, Indiana ripped off a 17-2 run and won going away. Real poise.
The Bad: There really isn’t much to point to. The bench didn’t contribute much but all the starters except Hibbert played 38+ minutes (and Roy had 36). They didn’t shoot well at the time or from behind the arc, and obviously they let Washington back into the game. But a home team facing elimination is going to make a run. The Pacers took that punch then replied with a knockout blow.
MVP: David West. He put the team on his back in the third quarter and became the team’s bedrock for the rest of the game. He shot 9-for-18 in the second half, scoring 18 of his team’s 41 points. No other Pacer had more than 7 points in the second half. Mr. West is in the building.
LVP: Luis Scola was not good.
X Factor: Trevor Ariza perhaps? By being a nonfactor, at least from a points standpoint. He made just one shot and finished with 6 points.
![]() | David West, PF 38 MIN | 13-26 FG | 3-5 FT | 6 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 29 PTS | +15 |
West scored 18 of his team’s final 41 points. He hit 3 of their next 5 FGs, sparking a 17-2 run, after Indiana fell behind in 4th. He was everything. He crushed Carthage, discovered Saturn, and rode Nessie across the English Channel. He has been the heart and soul of this team since he arrived, and his two Game 6 performances in this postseason cement his status among Pacers’ all-time greats. The ultimate professional who always holds himself accountable.


Didn’t do much on the stat sheet, but the defense was stout.


Make his mark early, making some moves down low and putting the “Come Back Later” sign on the rim.


Good defense on Wall and made some plays.


Lance played his best game of the series and showed just how dynamic the team can be when he’s really hard charging. Grab rebounds and took off. Just generally had that extra gear.


Not helpful.


Same


Stood on the wing well during the one possession for which he was on the floor.


Good stuff. His offensive acumen has been steadily improving since the All-Star break. Made a reverse layup that was, dare I say, crafty.


No minutes since PG and Hill both played 43.
