Post-Game Grades: Pacers Can't Close Out; Fall in OT to Rockets

107. 169. Final. 103. 100

The Indiana Pacers ended their 4 game road trip just like it started…letting another 4th quarter double-digit lead evaporate and ultimately getting KO’d in overtime by the Houston Rockets. The Pacers went 2-2 on the trip, but 4-0 was there for the taking if the Pacers just make a few plays down the stretch.

The Pacers officially have a problem closing games. No lead is safe these days and the scenario of “playing not to lose” (which certainly contributed to the 16 points the Pacers scored in the 4th quarter) when leading late in the game has reared it’s ugly head several times now. Overtime presented the same situation as the Pacers led 99-93 early on, but then allowed a wave of open 3’s to send them home with another incredibly tough loss.

The Good: The ball movement throughout the game was encouraging, especially after the ugly possessions witnessed during the Pelicans game on Friday night. 33 assists on 43 total shots is beautiful basketball. It’s just a shame they shut it down late in the game and went to isolation plays, allowing the Rockets to climb their way back in regulation. The Pacers were able to get 38 points on 22 Houston turnovers and 40 points from the bench is always welcome.

The Bad: The Pacers are still winless in overtime games this season (0-4), while the Rockets improved to 4-0. Very poor defense on Trevor Ariza as he lead Houston with 24 points (he averages 11.2 PPG) and hit several killer three’s which were all of the wide-open variety.

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MVP: Monta Ellis. Dished out 13 assists, which is the most by a Pacer in a game this season, and kept clawing back with tough buckets at the end of regulation. It’s unfortunate he couldn’t seal the deal at the end of the 4th quarter, because he was hitting one wild shot after another and seemed to be primed for a game-winner. Sadly, it was not to be.

LVP: Anyone guarding the perimeter at the end of the 4th quarter and overtime. The Rockets are 2nd in the league behind Golden State in made 3’s per game and hit another 14 tonight.

X-Factor: George Hill. He continues to dominate the corner 3 and hit 50% (3-6) from long range. Somehow managed to hold James Harden to just 21 points and only 4 free throw’s (averages 10+ attempts per game).

B-. All around game from PG (20 points, 7 steals, 6 rebounds and 4 assists), but he was responsible for defending Trevor Ariza so….. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE

MONTA ELLIS. B+. Phenomenal court vision, made all the right reads and is really starting to mesh well with his teammates in half court sets (averaged 8+ assists per game during the 4-game road trip). Tied Paul George for the lead in turnovers (4) though and if he wants the ball in his hands for the last shot to put the game away, he needs to hit one sooner or later.<span style=. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers

B. Corner 3 assassin and running floater extraordinaire. Several clutch rebounds (5 overall) and did his best to harass the Beard.. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. GEORGE HILL

He really disappears after playing the first half of the 1st quarter and only ended up logging 18 minutes tonight. A few nice buckets at the rim and was fairly efficient with 6 points and 2 rebounds.. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. LAVOY ALLEN. B-

B+. Ian’s game is developing nicely before our eyes and he was dominant at times during the road trip. He went for 13 points, 7 rebounds and is even making great strides with his hands by catching a sloppy Paul George pass and hitting an important shot late in the game. Posterized Clint Capela on a nasty 1st quarter dunk.. Center. Indiana Pacers. IAN MAHINMI

Led all scorers off the bench with 13 points and phenomenal in transition as usual.. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. RODNEY STUCKEY. B

B+. Important stretch where he took over for the struggling Myles Turner to help guard Dwight Howard and limit the damage in the paint. Pitched in with 9 points and 4 rebounds. He deserves another 5-10 minutes per game, but Vogel is still allowing Turner to learn on the fly with his return from injury.. Center. Indiana Pacers. JORDAN HILL

D+. The struggle continues with his shooting (2-11) and most of his misses were wide open looks created by great ball movement from his teammates. Terrible stretch for CJ in crunch time when he allowed James Harden to fly by for an open layup and then committed an awful over the back foul, allowing the Rockets to cut the Pacers lead in half.. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. C.J. MILES

C-. Had no chance against Dwight Howard down low, but Vogel game him a shot anyway during certain stretches. Perhaps games like these will pay dividends down the road with his overall development, but they are hurting the team right now defensively. Good to see him recycle James Harden’s shot in the 1st quarter though.. Center. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER

B. 4 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. He’s been effective in limited minutes and does a great job of cutting to the basket for backdoor passes and easy looks.. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON III

Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG. C+. The Houston native had his father, Michael, and 100+ friends and family in attendance. Good to see him get a little playing time and even dropped in a nice And-1 for his fan club. He is still a long ways away from occupying the backup point guard position as Vogel suggested before the season, but could prove very useful if injuries pop up.

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Post-Game Grades: Pacers Can’t Close Out; Fall in OT to Rockets

By Ryan Barth | Jan 10, 2016

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