Lance Stephenson Gets His First Points With the Indiana Pacers (Again)

Lance Stephenson is back in an Indiana Pacers uniform as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Lance Stephenson is back with the Indiana Pacers.

These are words I didn’t expect to type in 2017, but he we are as the Pacers fight for a playoff spot. But the good news so far is he at least looks worthy of some bench minutes.

After handing out a few assists, Lance Stephenson got the first points of his second tenure with the Indiana Pacers by patiently waiting for Kevin Seraphin to screen LeBron James. Stephenson then took on Channing Frye and converted his shot at the rim.

Along with the offense, Stephenson looks to be settling into a role defensively, playing well both on and off the ball. Stephenson left in the second quarter with 2 points and 2 assists, as well as a rebound.

Stephenson isn’t revolutionizing the Pacers just yet, but he’s making an impact. He is on a three-year contract (third-year team option), so Indiana is invested in making Lance great again, even if he can’t help them solve all their problems this season.

Paul George Throws Down on LeBron James

The duels between Paul George and LeBron James are always worth watching, but PG got off the first salvo on Sunday.

But Lebron wasn’t going to let that go without getting some revenge of his own.

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

• 2 Studs, 1 dud from gut-wrenching Indiana Pacers loss to Charlotte Hornets
• Handing out early-season grades for Pacers’ Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin
• 3 positives, 2 negatives in Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. Cavaliers
• 2 positives, 3 negatives from first week of Indiana Pacers basketball
• Should Isaiah Jackson’s days with Indiana Pacers be numbered?

Unfortunately, though, after the game being close and the Pacers taking a modest lead, the Cavaliers powered back in the second quarter to take as much as a 12 point lead at times.

Indiana is keeping within striking distance, but it has been all Cleveland after an encouraging start for the Pacers. The two teams have combined for 15 first half 3-pointers, with the Pacers knocking down 8 of 18 while the Cavaliers converted 7 of 16.

As the two teams head into the locker room, Indiana cut the lead down to seven points, giving us a 60-53 score.

Indiana desperately needs a win to get back into the playoff hunt, but the Cavaliers aren’t going to make it easy.  It doesn’t help that Cleveland needs a win themselves if they want to get the top seed in the Eastern Conference back. With the Boston Celtics winning today, the Cavaliers have plenty of motivation to defend their home court.

The Second Half

Indiana actually outplayed the Cavaliers in the third quarter, but it was only by one point (24-23), even tying it at one point. But Cleveland still led 83-76 going into the final quarter.

Some of the good news, though, is the Pacers outshot the Cavaliers by a wide margin, going 10 for 20 compared to Cleveland’s 8 of 20 from the field.

When the four quarter opened, it looked like that wasn’t going to be the case as Cleveland went on a 9-2 run to get things started, but slowly and surely, Indiana got back in it. With just under six minutes left, it was a two-point game.

C.J. Miles looked to be the hero late in the game with a 3-pointer that put the Pacers in the lead, but of course, LeBron James tied it. Neither team scored again, so the game headed to overtime (two even), where the Pacers lost.

Paul George made so many clutch baskets (save a missed free throw that could have put Indiana ahead), but with 43 points, hard to put the blame on him.

This season has not been fun.