Post-Game Grades: Pacers Take Care of Business Over Lowly Nets
By Ryan Barth
100. 147. 114. 100. Final
The Indiana Pacers had endured yet another 4th quarter letdown against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday Night and were in desperate need of some victory medicine. The prescription? The Brooklyn Nets.
The Pacers hadn’t played a game on the road since January 23rd, but it was smooth sailing in Brooklyn as the team shot 50% from the field and coasted down the stretch. The bench went off for 58 points and the team basically swept every statistical category tonight. It’s a much easier task to close out against a team like the Nets, but it has to feel good to rest easy in the last few minutes with a comfortable lead.
The Good: Everyone contributed a little something with 5 players scoring in double figures and the team nabbing 11 steals overall. Great ball movement on offense and the help-side defense ultimately allowed the Pacers to take a big lead early and never relinquish it.
Data curated by PointAfter
The Bad: Not a great sign for the defense when Brooklyn puts up 100 points (including a 34-point 3rd quarter). Fouled Brook Lopez one too many times, but it’s hard to play him straight up with all of his awkwardness in the paint.
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MVP: CJ Miles. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen 3J in the MVP column. Here’s hoping he finally found his stroke for good and can rain down three’s all month just as he did in his glorious stretch in November.
LVP: Myles Turner. Struggled guarding Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young while missing a lot of bunnies at the rim.
X-Factor: Lavoy Allen. He’s getting a lot more comfortable in his role off the bench. Certainly didn’t think he was capable of throwing down the monster dunk he dropped in the 4th quarter.
B. <p>Lead the team in steals, but when PG giveth he usually taketh away (4 turnovers). Did a little bit of everything tonight (17 points, 6 assists, 5 steals and 4 rebounds).</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE
Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. MONTA ELLIS. B+. <p>Very efficient shooting the ball (5-7 for 11 points) and you love seeing your guards rebound (6). It really releases the scoring burden on him when CJ is making shots.</p><p><span style=
C-. <p>Continued to show dominance at the rim with 3 key blocks, but was off all night with his jumper. Rebounding the ball much better lately (7) and good to see him gain a little more confidence in garbage time.</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
B. <p>Made all 3 of his shots and is starting to get a little respect from the defense with his midrange game. Forced to foul Lopez all night long.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. JORDAN HILL
Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. GEORGE HILL. B+. <p>He was cooking in the 1st quarter and wasn’t needed much after that. Continues his streak of shooting 100% from the corner 3 spot (more or less). Made several successful pickpocket attempts on the help-side when the Nets were posting up.</p>
A+. <p>Welcome back old friend. He came into the game hitting just 4 out of his last 39 from 3-point range, but reversed the curse tonight and put up his 2nd highest scoring game of the season with 27 points. He brought up the fact “his body took a beating” when playing out of position at the 4-spot during his postgame interview which helps explain some of his struggles the last several games.</p>. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. C.J. MILES
Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG. B. <p>Drilled a few nice 3-point shots and finished with 8 points off the bench. The loss of Rodney Stuckey hurts, but the minutes he’s getting now will really help this time next season.</p>
Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. LAVOY ALLEN. A. <p>Arguably his best game of the year. 12 points, 8 rebounds and one filthy dunk that he will definitely include in his career highlight video. The pick n’ roll game is serving him well and his new (yet old?) role off the bench suits him even better.</p>
B+. <p>He’s either becoming a much better trade chip for Larry Bird as we near the deadline or he is blossoming into a nice energy guy off the bench. Led the team in +/- (+17) and pulled down another 5 boards.</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. SOLOMON HILL
<p>A bit of a lazy play in the first half when what should have been a routine dunk became two free throws after his steal lead to a fast break.</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON III. C+
Inc.. <p>The Mad Ant yo-yo made a quick appearance.</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. SHAYNE WHITTINGTON