Post-Game Grades: Pacers Continue Closing Out Games and Edge Magic
By Ryan Barth
100. Final. 102. 38. 105
The Indiana Pacers grabbed another key road victory on Sunday night against the Orlando Magic. They have now defeated the Magic seven straight times, ascend to 5th place in the Eastern Conference Standings and continue to gain momentum post-All Star Break.
The Pacers have been on the wrong end of some tough late game calls this season (see Jimmy Butler), but the karma pendulum swung their way after Victor Oladipo didn’t get the foul call after getting Monta Ellis in the air and into his body on his errant three point attempt at the end. A sloppy game overall (the Pacers had 10 turnovers in the 1st quarter alone), but great to see Myles Turner continue to hit clutch shots down the stretch. You should win when you shoot 50% from the field and get 6 players to score in double figures.
The Good: Monta Ellis from 3. Myles Turner from anywhere. Removing the “closer” monkey off their back for a while.
The Bad: 21 turnovers (17 at halftime) and give credit to the swarming Magic defense early on as they consistently took up the Pacers airspace on the ball and go into the passing lanes with a fury. Frank Vogel made some nice adjustments though to get better looks in the second half and force his players to value each and every possession.
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MVP: Ian Mahinmi. Re-sign him now if you can. He kept this team afloat in the first half and played dominating interior defense alongside Myles Turner. Getting a ton of easy looks at the basket and moving extremely well in the pick n’ roll game for a guy that struggles shooting from midrange. Like it or not Larry, this big lineup is legit.
LVP: Paul George. 20 points on 19 shots and allowed Evan Fournier to outscore him (23 points), which should never happen.
X-Factor: Myles Turner. 3 more blocks tonight and should have had a 4th if not for a tough foul call late in the game denying Nikola Vucevic at the rim. Developing a clutch gene at just 19 years old hitting a pair of crucial shots late in the 4th quarter. The Pacers are now 7-3 since inserting Turner into the starting lineup.
C-. <p>Saddled with foul trouble throughout the game and didn’t attack Evan Fournier enough. Good to see this team can still win games without their star player at his best.</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE
<p>Led the team in scoring with 21 points and most of those came from deep (5-7 from three). The iso-fadeaway at the end of games isn’t getting it done though, time to retire that play. Played the entire 4th quarter as well and gave his team a very productive 39 minutes.</p><p><span style=. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. MONTA ELLIS. A-
Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER. B+. <p>Very efficient shooting (5-9 for 12 points) and starting to find his groove rebounding the ball as well with 8 boards. This is his 6th straight game scoring in double figures. The Pacers are now 2nd in the East in opponent’s field goal percentage in the paint with Turner in the lineup.</p>. Power Forward
Indiana Pacers. GEORGE HILL. B. <p>Stuffed the box score again by nearly producing a carbon copy of his stat line from the OKC game on Friday night (8 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds). He didn’t shoot well at all (2-8), but had great looks all game and quietly played some outstanding defense on Brandon Jennings.</p>. Point Guard
A. <p>Perfect from the field (6-6) and narrowly missed another double-double (14 points, 9 rebounds). Becoming a veteran force underneath the basket.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. IAN MAHINMI
A. <p>13 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. He continues to deliver for this team when the bench is looking for someone to step up.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. JORDAN HILL
<p>Left the game in the 4th quarter with a calf strain after he took a fall on a made three. Always good to see him knock down shots (6-8 shooting for 14 points).</p>. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. C.J. MILES. A-
D+. <p>His inability to initiate the offense for the bench unit is becoming a glaring problem. He’s probably better suited playing off the ball as a 2 guard, but the team has run out of options without Stuckey.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG
B-. <p>Pitched in 3 assists and covered for Myles Turner after he went out early in the 1st quarter with foul trouble.</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. LAVOY ALLEN
C. <p>The quest for an effective 10th man while Rodney Stuckey is injured continues…</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. SOLOMON HILL