Post-Game Grades: Indiana Pacers Hold Off New York Knicks
By Ben Gibson
100. Final. 105. 27. 108
It was too close for comfort at times, but the Indiana Pacers held off several second-half challenges from the New York Knicks to win at home.
The Good: The Indiana Pacers didn’t lose at home to the New York Knicks. That’s good enough for me.
The Bad: Losing an 11-point lead, which then became a 7-point deficit in the 3rd quarter. Basketball is a game of runs, but the Pacers don’t have to give up the lead all the time. This is a struggling Knicks team after all. Part of the issue was the bench giving up points, but it is just frustrating to see a team continue to struggle to finish out games like this. The Knicks kept in the game thanks to their 3-point shooting. They were 50% from beyond the arc (13 of 26) and usually the Pacers do better defending those shots.
The Pacers took the lead again near the end of the game, but a six-point lead started to dissolve and allowed the Knicks to creep back within two. Thankfully a Kristaps Porzingis 3-pointer missed and Myles Turner grabbed the rebound, hit one of his free-throws, and Indiana held on for the win.
MVP: After going 1 of 9 for 2 points in the first half, Paul George was 9 of 14 for 25 second-half points. He grabbed 7 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal, and only had two turnovers in the game, as well as those 27 total points.
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LVP: Don’t really have one player for the Pacers. None of the starters really had a “bad” game and the bench players made the most of their time on the floor. The defense was shaky at times, but I don’t feel like any one Pacer was responsible.
X-Factor: Myles Turner was 10 of 20 from the field and 4 of 5 from the line for 23 points and grabbed a critical rebound after Porzingis’ miss late in the game. He mixed up how he scored, showing a little range and a hook shot as well. It is fun to watch him get better game by game.
A. <p>First half: D</p><p>Second half: A++</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE
B+. <p>Started off hot knocking down two 3-pointers, but only ended up with 8 points cause he was too busy grabbing 8 rebounds and handing out 7 assists.</p><p><span style=. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. MONTA ELLIS
B-. <p>George Hill was 5 of 8 for 10 points and had 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. GEORGE HILL
A. <p>A few rookie mistakes here and there, but he made half his shots and grabbed 6 rebounds. He’s clearly getting more and more comfortable on the floor with each game and held his own against fellow rookie Kristaps Porzingis. I want to see Myles versus Kristaps for years to come.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
A. <p>Mahinmi had 8 points and 7 rebounds and is in “must keep” territory for the Indiana Pacers this offseason. His ability to defend the rim and grab rebounds free up Turner block shots on the defensive end, and on offense, he allows Myles to stretch the floor without Indiana sacrificing size in the paint.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers. IAN MAHINMI
Indiana Pacers. JORDAN HILL. B-. <p>A quiet 6 points.</p>. Center
B. <p>Lavoy continues to be an offensive rebounding machine, with 3 of his 6 rebounds coming that way. He also scored 6 points in 18 minutes of play.</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. LAVOY ALLEN
B-. <p>8 points and 3 assists for the rookie. Like all of the bench players, the defense was rough at times.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG
<p>Solo was 3 of 4 for 7 points</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. SOLOMON HILL. B
Indiana Pacers. CHASE BUDINGER. B. <p>Chase was 2 of 3 for 4 points.</p>. Small Forward