Post-Game Grades: Pacers Fall Hard to Resting Raptors
By Ryan Barth
Final. 98. 100. 111. 81
The Indiana Pacers decided it would be best to delay clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs while giving the Toronto Raptors B-squad some confidence in the process. The Pacers now drop to the 8th seed behind the Detroit Pistons.
The Good: Another Canadian stamp in the Pacers passports. Maybe Cleveland can put the Pacers in the playoffs tomorrow night by beating the Bulls, since they can’t seem to take care of business themselves.
The Bad: Norman Powell scored 27 points and shot 19 free throws for the Raptors tonight. Leading to the following questions…Who exactly is Norman Powell and why did you feel the need to foul him so much?
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MVP: Solomon Hill. He seems to have found the range from beyond the arc and hit another 3 triples tonight. Solo was the only one who seemed to play with a purpose.
LVP: Ian Mahinmi. He had foul trouble throughout the game, failed to register an offensive rebound and went 1-5 shooting with all his looks coming within a few feet of the basket. A very 2015-2016 Hibbert-esque stat line here.
X-Factor: Young legs looking to prove something for the Raptors. They were coming off a game last night which forced Coach Dwane Casey to sit starters DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry and go with his backups. They seemed to handle it pretty well.
C+. <p>Hurt his left ankle two different times in the game before shutting it down midway through the 4th quarter. Managed to take out a few Canadian women in the front row after tumbling into their beer chasing a loose ball.</p>. Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. PAUL GEORGE
Indiana Pacers. MONTA ELLIS. C+. <p>Made half his shots (7-14) which is nice. Needs to continue attacking the basket to see results, especially when he can’t connect from deep (0-5).</p><p><span style=. Shooting Guard
F. <p>5 points, 3 assists and no defense. Might be time to go to red hair or something.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. GEORGE HILL
B. <p>12 points and 8 rebounds. The only front line player who showed any heart.</p>. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. LAVOY ALLEN
IAN MAHINMI. F. <p>Starting to get used to his early exits at the start of games due to committing stupid fouls.</p>. Center. Indiana Pacers
Center. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER. C-. <p>Showed a little bit of everything (5 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks), but couldn’t even remotely matchup with Valanciunas down low.</p>
F. <p>Looked lost/confused on both ends.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. RODNEY STUCKEY
C-. <p>Got some run with the starters late in the 1st half, but couldn’t find the range from three to get back his team back into the game.</p>. Shooting Guard. Indiana Pacers. C.J. MILES
Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. SOLOMON HILL. B+. <p>Safe to say he’s no longer a bench cheerleader anymore. He’s earning every minute he gets on the floor these days. Solo was the primary scoring option in the 2nd quarter. I repeat, Solo was the PRIMARY scoring option in the 2nd quarter.</p>
D+. <p>Still fast, but incredibly ineffective.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers. TY LAWSON
JOE YOUNG. B. <p>Maybe he would have been a better match against the young, spry Raptors bench squad.</p>. Point Guard. Indiana Pacers
Small Forward. Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON III. Inc.. <p>Garbage time.</p>