Post-Game Grades: Pacers outgun and outrun the Nets in high scoring home opener
By William Furr
131. 147. 140. 100. Final
The Indiana Pacers return to their ABA roots, completely abandon defense in a quest to outscore the world.
The Indiana Pacers opener against the Nets featured a wide variety of things to watch, and it was certainly entertaining. Counting stats were there to be had for everyone because neither team bothered too much with the defensive end of the floor. Despite Brooklyn’s token full court press and Dan Burke’s resume, these two teams combined for 204 points through 3 quarters and never slowed down.
The much-maligned Paul George trade brought 2 players back from Oklahoma City — Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Those two shined bright in their Pacers debut, combining for 38 points on 13 of 19 shooting.
The Indiana Pacers fouled far too much, didn’t stop anyone, and made DeAngelo Russell look like a future hall of famer (that’s for @thekinglyryan), but walked out of the game 1-0, ensuring they’d be over .500 at least once this year.
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The Good: The Pacers offense was fun to watch. This is not something that’s been said often (read: at all) over the past several years, but they scored, they pushed, and they scored some more.
The Bad: There’s another end of the court. The Pacers gave up 131 points to a team starting Timofey Mozgov, DeMarre Carroll, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Eesh.
MVP: Victor Oladipo. He was very good at some points, and set the tone for the Pacers coming out of the locker room. Dumb fouls really slowed him down in this one.
LVP: T.J. Leaf. You’ll get there, rook
X-Factor: Suh-BONE-is! Learn that man’s name: Domantas Sabonis. 17 points on 7-7 shooting, 6 rebounds, looked fantastic out there with the 2nd unit. Love it.
A+. 21 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks, shot 8-13 from the field, 1-3 from deep. Turner saved the game for the Pacers late with several plays in a row – getting to the line off a loose ball, blocking a shot, coming down and scoring again when the Pacers offense was struggling. Wasn’t always the flashiest guy on the court tonight, but made his shots and came up big when it counted.. C. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO. A. 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 8-12 shooting. Dipo had a phenomenal game, but only played 24 minutes due to foul troubles. The Pacers struggled without him at times, and he’ll need to not commit dumb fouls moving forward.. SG
A-. 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks. The quintessential “did a bit of everything” Thad Young game. Took 5 threes, only made one, but definitely good to see him launching away.. PF. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG
16 points of 6-19 shooting, including 2-9 from deep. Lance didn’t have his touch tonight, but he made plays, scored when the Pacers had no one else to, and generally did Lance things. Looking forward to the Lance/Sabonis pick and roll chemistry continuing to grow.. SG. Indiana Pacers. LANCE STEPHENSON. C+
SF. Indiana Pacers. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC. C. 14 points on 5-9 shooting. Didn’t do much else, had 3 turnovers and was invisible for the most part. Got to guard DeMarre Carroll at least.
B. One of 3 Pacers with a double double, finished with 21 points and 11 assists on 9-12 shooting. Didn’t defend anyone, but scored and passed with extreme efficiency.. PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON
A+. 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7-7 shooting. The bandwagon is open and accepting all comers. All dunks and high effort, all the time. PF/C. Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS
Indiana Pacers. DAMIEN WILKINS. C-. 2 points, a board and a steal. Didn’t do much, but didn’t look totally outclassed as a 37 year old taking the NBA court for the first time in years. Missed a wide open corner 3 that ruined a great Sabonis play. SF
B-. 11 points on 4-10 shooting, 4 assists. Annoyed the entire borough of Brooklyn with his defense.. PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH
D. No points, 2 rebounds, an assist, a block, and 3 fouls for T.J. Leaf’s NBA debut. True to Nate’s word, the rook played about 10 minutes. No impact so far. PF. Indiana Pacers. TJ LEAF