Rodney Stuckey Goes Off For 30 Again, Beat Curry-less Warriors
By Ben Gibson
30 and 30.
That’s Rodney Stuckey’s point totals from the past two games, but dropping that many on the NBA’s best team, the Golden State Warriors, was a bit more impressive than against the Philadelphia 76ers. Sure, the Warriors didn’t have Stephen Curry but they still looked like one of the league’s better teams without him. The Pacers are 7-3 in their last 10 games, not too shabby.
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The Starters didn’t have the best 1st quarter, but after recovered and closed out the game after getting plenty of help from Stuckey and the bench. Stuckey is shooting 63.6% from the field in the past two games on 27 attempts while averaging 4.5 assists as well. While Indiana might have been able to get past the 76ers without him, he was clearly needed in the Pacers victory over Golden State. Indiana is playing well on both sides of the ball with Stuckey in the game, posting a 118.7 offensive rating with him on the court, as well as a 93.4 defensive rating. With him off? The offensive rating drops to 87.3 and the defensive rating goes to 106.8.
It is only 2 games, but Indiana should be thanking him for carrying the weight, especially on a bum ankle.
David West, PF 30 MIN | 2-6 FG | 0-0 FT | 8 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 4 TO | 4 PTS | -4 +/-Not a lot of points, but made up for it with 8 rebounds. None of the starters have looked that great post All-Star Break. West’s four turnovers didn’t help either. However the pass to Miles for what felt like the nail in the coffin earns him an average day. |
Vogel has earned every dollar in his salary this season as the Pacers have kept afloat.