8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Post-Game Grades: Pacers basketball is back at last

ByHunter Kuffel|
INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Myles Turner #33 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during the Pacers Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 25, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Myles Turner #33 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during the Pacers Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 25, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
Indiana Pacers logoIndiana Pacers
104
Final
Milwaukee Bucks logoMilwaukee Bucks
86

The Pacers kicked off the preseason with a bang, blowing out the Milwaukee Bucks 104-86.

The Good: The Pacers are officially undefeated, and they played a fairly fast-paced style that was easy on the eyes. 3s were shot, picks were popped, and Damien Wilkins sonned some fools. The new uniforms really popped on the screen as well, and Myles Turner looks primed for a big year.

The Bad: Obviously, it’s preseason, but the defense is going to be an ongoing struggle this season. Turner looked improved as an interior defender, but the perimeter will likely be a weak line of defense with Bogdanovic and Collison playing big minutes.

More from Pacers News

MVP: Myles Turner was a beast when he was on the floor, putting up 17 points and nine rebounds in his 24 minutes, not to mention a steal and three blocks to boot.

LVP: He wasn’t terrible, but Bojan Bogdanovic probably gets the nod here. We knew going in that he’d be a sieve defensively and not much more than a bucket-getter, but even the buckets were hard to find tonight.

X-Factor: There was some undeniable spiciness going on with the Lance/Sabonis pick-and-roll in the second quarter, and I was very much feeling it. It’s too early to tell if the Lithuanian newcomer can fill Kevin Seraphin’s shoes as Stephenson’s full-time PNR co-pilot, but tonight was a hell of a first outing.

MYLES TURNER

C | Indiana Pacers
A
He teased us with the 3-point shot and, overall, reminded us who’s No. 1 on this team.

VICTOR OLADIPO

SG | Indiana Pacers
B+
Solid first outing for Oladipo as he returns to Indiana. The four assists is inspiring.

THADDEUS YOUNG

PF | Indiana Pacers
B
Young wasn’t up to much scoring-wise, but he was an active rebounder and help defender.

LANCE STEPHENSON

SG | Indiana Pacers
A
Made some boneheaded plays throughout, but doesn’t that just kind of make him more endearing? Lance gets the spiritual A because it’s preseason and the points don’t matter.

BOJAN BOGDANOVIC

SF | Indiana Pacers
C
Hopefully the shot falls because the defense is going to be horrific.

DARREN COLLISON

PG | Indiana Pacers
B-
Collison didn’t astound in his first game back as a Pacer, but he didn’t really screw up either.

DOMANTAS SABONIS

PF/C | Indiana Pacers
B
Sabonis had a tough shooting night, but the OKC transplant showed flashes at the center position, which could be huge for the rotation.

DAMIEN WILKINS

SF | Indiana Pacers
A
The 37-year-old took over the second quarter for the Pacers, leading the team in scoring at one point.

CORY JOSEPH

PG | Indiana Pacers
B-
Joseph was mostly outshined by the flashier Stephenson, but he did his job and made few mistakes.

TJ LEAF

PF | Indiana Pacers
C+
Leaf got on the board for his first career NBA points, but it’s going to take a while for the game to slow down for the UCLA product.

AL JEFFERSON

C | Indiana Pacers
C
Jefferson played less than 10 minutes, and hardly made an impact when he was out there.

ALEX POYTHRESS

SF | Indiana Pacers
B
The Kentucky product got a small chance to prove he’s got the stuff to play on the big stage, but he certainly didn’t outplay Wilkins, his main competition for backup SF minutes.

JOE YOUNG

PG | Indiana Pacers
Meh
Joe Young is still on the Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers head to Cleveland next to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 6 at 7:30 pm ET.

Next: Annual GM survey is kind to Myles Turner

We’ll seeya then.

Home/Pacers News