Post-Game Grades: Indiana Pacers fall to Philadelphia 76ers, win streak ends
By Kevin Kaspar
The Indiana Pacers’ winning streak is snapped by the Philadelphia 76ers, but Victor Oladipo still is playing out of his mind.
93. 110. 100. Final. 121
The Pacers had three-game winning streak snapped by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers outpaced Indiana, scoring 121 points on 50% shooting.
Indiana struggled to find its footing out the gates and the trend continued all night. The Pacers Achilles heel tonight was its 3-point shooting, making only 28% of their attempts, going 3 of 28.
Tonight marked the return of Myles Turner. The 3rd year big man missed seven games due to a concussion and he did not disappoint. He put up 11 points 9 rebounds 3 blocks.
However, Turner’s return was overshadowed by Victor Oladipo’s herculean 31-point effort. He isn’t the basketball hero Indiana deserves but the one it needs right now.
The Good: The Pacers’ fighting spirit. Indiana found itself trailing multiple times throughout the night but the team never felt out of reach. There are no moral victories in the NBA but a nice silver lining nonetheless.
The Bad: Indiana Pacers defense. The 76ers scored 121 points and made 18 3-pointers tonight. The starters were particularly bad.
MVP: Victor Oladipo had 31 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists. Oladipo has been Indiana’s best player through nine games.
LVP: Darren Collison only had 2 points and was a non-factor on defense. Better luck next time, DC.
X-Factor: Thad Young: Young scored 15 points on 50% shooting and was the steady veteran presence Indiana needed during a frustrating game.
B-. Myles was 4-14 FG and 1-4 3FG shooting. We expected some rust from Turner coming off of a concussion. He grabbed nine rebounds and bothered Joel Embiid all night long.. C. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
A. Victor Oladipo was sublime. Oladipo ended the night with 31 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds.. SG. Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO
A-. Big Bad Thad was all over the floor tonight. He ended the night with only 15 points but his impact goes beyond the box score. Young has an uncanny ability to in the right place at the right time and do the little things.. PF. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG
B-. Neither Good Lance nor Bad Lance showed up tonight. Average Lance had 6 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds on 3-5 shooting. Can’t say Stephenson’s slump is over just yet.. SG. Indiana Pacers. LANCE STEPHENSON
SF. Indiana Pacers. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC. A-. Bogdanovic had a season-high 21 points and made 57% of his shots.
Darren Collison was more or less a no-show this for the Pacers, shooting 1-9 from the field. He started out the game guarding Ben Simmons and never found a rhythm. If there’s a silver lining, it’s his five assists.. PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON. C
DOMANTAS SABONIS. B+. The “Bonus” had a frustrating night, fouling out mid-way in the fourth quarter. He had 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 24 minutes of action. His double-double streak comes to an end at three games.. PF/C. Indiana Pacers
C. Joseph had a “meh” night with 5 points on 2-8 shooting. However, he was not the only one. Indiana guards not named “Victor Oladipo” struggled to perform against the bigger Philadelphia backcourt.. PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH
C+. TJ Leaf left the game with a sprained ankle after playing just six minutes. He had two points on a fast break dunk. Get well soon, TJ.. PF. Indiana Pacers. TJ LEAF
C. Joe Young’s most notable play was getting clubbed in the back of the head by Joel Embiid. Young did not take kindly to the play. A tip of the cap to Joey Buckets for never backing down.. PG. Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG