8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Post-Game Grades: Pacers basketball is back at last

By Hunter 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) /
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86. 89. 104. 100. Final

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.

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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.

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

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

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

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.. SG. Indiana Pacers. LANCE STEPHENSON

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

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

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

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

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

TJ LEAF. 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.. PF. Indiana Pacers

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

Indiana Pacers. ALEX POYTHRESS. 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.. SF

Meh. Joe Young is still on the Indiana Pacers.. PG. Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG

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.

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