Indiana Pacers outscore Charlotte Hornets 56-35 in the second half to get back on track.
The Good: The passing and the defense. The Pacers shared the ball all night and played for one another, unlike last night’s debacle in New York. Indiana had 26 assists on 39 baskets, making the extra pass seem like second nature.
The defense was even more impressive. Indiana (finally) made the adjustment to not sit back on Kemba Walker’s pick-and-roll opportunities, but instead have the screener’s man meet him near the screen. The Pacers held Walker to seven points on 3-of-11 shooting, tied for his worst scoring output of the season.
The Bad: Turnovers. Most of them were errors of commission, but 15 is still too many. The turnovers to start the 4th quarter gave the Hornets some life before the Pacers’ starters restored order.
MVP: Paul George is a baaaaaaaaad man. A season-high 39 points on an efficient 15-of-21 from the field including six three-pointers. He scored 27 in the second half. When he’s in a good rhythm on his catch-and-shoot opportunities, he’s a handful for the opposition.
LVP: Rodney Stuckey has been bad for the better part of the season, but this current stretch has been him at his worst.
X-Factor: Myles Turner. Monta Ellis would probably be a good choice as well, but Turner was tasked with keeping Kemba Walker under control in the pick-and-roll and recovering to his own man… and he was great at it all night.
PAUL GEORGE
Small Forward | Indiana Pacers
A
The All-Star destroyed the Hornets defense, but how he shared the ball was almost as impressive. He had only three assists, but he kept the ball moving on offense which kept everyone involved.
JEFF TEAGUE
Point Guard | Indiana Pacers
B
A near triple-double (8-8-11) for the point guard. Four turnovers are a bit much, but an improvement on the seven he had in NYC.
MYLES TURNER
Center | Indiana Pacers
B+
He had only six points, but his scoring was his secondary focus. He led the team with 11 rebounds, had three blocks, and controlled the Hornets’ normally lethal pick-and-roll.
THADDEUS YOUNG
Power Forward | Indiana Pacers
B-
Didn’t shoot well (1-of-6) but found other ways to contribute (5 rebounds, 3 assists)… also helped with keeping Walker in check when guarding pick-and-roll.
C.J. MILES
Shooting Guard | Indiana Pacers
B-
Nine points on 3-of-6 shooting. Didn’t play his normal complement of minutes due to Monta Ellis’ effectiveness.
GLENN ROBINSON III
Small Forward | Indiana Pacers
B+
His confidence keeps growing and growing. Nine points on 4-of-5 from the field. He keeps contributing and earning minutes.
MONTA ELLIS
Shooting Guard | Indiana Pacers
A
Ellis has been really good lately and this game was no different. He scored 16 points off the bench and even knocked down two corner three-pointers. He’s scored in double figures in 7 of the 11 games after the All-Star break.
KEVIN SERAPHIN
Center | Indiana Pacers
B
Filled in well with Lavoy Allen out, scoring six points.
RODNEY STUCKEY
Point Guard | Indiana Pacers
D
The last two games, he’s had trouble controlling his dribble against pressure defense, not to mention the poor shooting. He would probably be out of the rotation if the Pacers had a suitable alternative.
RAKEEM CHRISTMAS
PF | Indiana Pacers
C
Didn’t do that much in his time on the floor, but continues to get minutes over Al Jefferson (DNP-CD) which is a good decision given the roster construction.
Indiana Pacers
Charlotte Hornets