Myles Turner looked good in his first NBA start with 20 points as the Indiana Pacers beat the Atlanta Hawks.
The Indiana Pacers stopped a 3-game losing streak with an 111-92 win over the Atlanta Hawks and looked like a much better team than we had seen of late. There weren’t the late-game struggles the Pacers had grown accustomed to as they closed out the Hawks for a comfortable win.
The Good: Myles Turner didn’t look any different in a starting role than the other 23 games of his NBA career. He shot 9 of 17 for 20 points while gathering 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block. His defense will have to improve as he gets more experience, but he had a plus-minus of 10 on the night and more importantly, didn’t look overwhelmed.
Frank Vogel on Myles Turner starting: "It’s going to be a little bit of a roller coaster… overall, a really solid performance."
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) January 29, 2016
4 times Vogel has described new starting 5 with Myles Turner as “roller coaster.” Smiling every time he says it. Clearly this is the rise
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) January 29, 2016
The Bad: Other than 18 turnovers, there isn’t a lot to complain about. Paul George dealt with some foul trouble and was 2 of 11 from the field, but he also was a perfect 7 of 7 from the free throw line and ended with 11 points. Not a good night for him, but having more offensive weapons like Turner helps wipe that away.
More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds
- 2 Studs, 1 dud from gut-wrenching Indiana Pacers loss to Charlotte Hornets
- Handing out early-season grades for Pacers’ Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin
- 3 positives, 2 negatives in Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. Cavaliers
- 2 positives, 3 negatives from first week of Indiana Pacers basketball
- Should Isaiah Jackson’s days with Indiana Pacers be numbered?
MVP: Tonight will be remembered for Myles Turner’s first start, but as Monta Ellis has done so many times this season he came up big to help end a Indiana Pacers’ losing streak. Ellis had 25 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 1 block on the night and continues to be whatever the Pacers need him to be.
LVP: None for the Pacers really. It’s hard to complain on a night where Indiana shot 48.7% overall, 60.0% from beyond the arc, and 86.7% from the free throw line.
X-Factor: George Hill went 7 of 9 from the field and 3 of 4 from beyond the arc on a night where he scored 18 points. Throw in 8 rebounds and 3 assists and you have a solid night from the Hometown Hero. To see both him and Ellis have good nights at the same time is an encouraging sign.
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This is beautiful.
Dope action, great execution. Mahinmi screen and the skip pass are both perfect https://t.co/UzgrC9ds0C
— Jared Wade (@Jared_Wade) January 29, 2016