Post-Game Grades: Pacers catch the Croatian Fever, top Magic for fourth straight win

Indiana Pacers ride tight defense and clutch shots to top the Orlando Magic and win their fourth straight game.

It was a game of ups and downs, as Pacers games typically are. With Indiana shooting poorly–ended the game at just 41.6 percent–any defensive slips allowed the Magic to get back in the game.

Thanks to that defense, however, Indiana was able to take this one, 105-97. Active hands and good communication led to 17 steals and 21 fast break points. Most of those 21 points were easy, breakaway buckets. A few of them ended up in Victor Oladipo slams.

This victory makes it four in a row, and four-straight on the road. Indiana now gets a well-earned three days of rest (and Turkey Time!) before returning to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday night to host the Toronto Raptors, fellow owners of a four-game winning streak.

The Good: 17 steals! Indiana has not been a good defensive team on the season as a whole this year, so to see them playing active on that end was promising. Especially on the second night of a back-to-back, and on the road nonetheless.

The Bad: The shooting wasn’t great overall at 41.6 percent. They had to play great defense to win tonight, and luckily they did.

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Bogdanovic had just two first half points, and ended the game with 26 points. Do the math: that’s 24 second half points! He hit a huge three to seal the game as well, which made it impossible for me to not include him as a co-MVP.

Bogdanovic had just two first half points, and ended the game with 26 points. Do the math: that’s 24 second half points! He hit a huge three to seal the game as well, which made it impossible for me to not include him as a co-MVP.

LVP: After breaking out last night in Miami, Myles Turner returned to the struggle bus tonight: eight points (4-of-11), five rebounds, two blocks, 34 minutes. His only competition for this award was Domantas Sabonis, which is unbelievable considering Indiana won this game. The young bigs couldn’t bring much tonight, but their teammates carried them through.

X-Factor: Thaddeus Young, forever underrated, and hopefully forever a Pacer. Dude brings it every night, and was a major part of the team’s success on the defensive end tonight. The 17 points helped as well.

Next: Don't stay stuck in the past

The Pacers enjoy a break until Friday when they face the Atlanta Hawks at home.