Post-Game Grades: Pacers hold no sympathy for injured Knicks, regain their mojo
By Dylan Hughes
The Indiana Pacers got revenge for their November loss in New York by blowing the Knicks out, 115-97.
27. 115. 100. Final. 97
Nearly a month ago, the Pacers swallowed a tough L in Madison Square Garden–falling 108-101 to the Knicks of New York. Kristaps Porzingis was unstoppable, tallying 40 points and six blocks. Enes Kanter grabbed 18 rebounds.
Since then, the Pacers have found themselves. They were on a two-game skid coming into the night, but with New York missing Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr., Indiana had no excuses but to blow the top off of this one.
And that they did.
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The Good: It was an egalitarian effort in Indiana tonight, as all Pacers starters finished scoring in double figures. Indiana shot 53.5 percent from the field, 42.3 percent from three and 80 percent from the line. They scored 115 and allowed 97. Everything was good on this night.
The Bad: They didn’t win by more.
MVP: Thaddeus Young did it all tonight, scoring efficiently (9-of-11, 2-of-2 from three) while bringing down six boards and getting a couple of steals. Young is Mr. Consistency for the Pacers, always reliable to score some easy buckets and make energy plays. Thad took the pressure off the starters tonight, allowing them to settle in and not have to worry about carrying a load.
LVP: TJ Leaf didn’t just play in garbage time tonight! He didn’t do much, unfortunately, finishing with zero points and five rebounds.
X-Factor: Darren Collison always seems to get it done in the shadows of Indiana’s stars. He recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists, and got a few big steals in the third quarter that turned into easy buckets on the other end.
Collison couldn’t get it to fall from deep (0-of-3), but 10 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks (!!) will do.. PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON. A-
Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO. A. It’s pretty exciting that 16 points (6-of-10, 3-of-5 from deep), five rebounds, four assists, one steal and two blocks is a “quiet” night for Oladipo.. SG
Bogey was back to poppin’ shots and taking names, finishing with 19 points (7-of-11, 3-of-5 from deep).. SF. Indiana Pacers. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC. A-
Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG. A+. 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting–what else could you ask for from Young?. PF
A. Turner was lowkey really good tonight. Just 12 points, five rebounds and a block, but he was efficient (6-of-9), fought for rebounds and contested shots at the rim in his 25 minutes.. C. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
C+. Sabonis should be thankful for garbage time, which allowed him to finish with 12 points and 12 rebounds. If this was a competitive game, his five turnovers and five fouls may have really hurt Indiana.. C. Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS
LANCE STEPHENSON. B. No late-game heroics needed from Lance tonight. He finished with nine points, three boards and three assists.. SG. Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH. B+. It was nice to see Cory Joseph see two of his four three-point attempts go in tonight after making just four of his last 13 tries.. PG
Leaf made zero of his five shot attempts, but brought down five boards in 17 minutes. That kind of hustle doesn’t deserve an F.. PF. Indiana Pacers. TJ LEAF. D+
JOE YOUNG. A. Five points in seven minutes. You know exactly what you are getting from Garbage Time Joe Young.. PG. Indiana Pacers
C. He’s just happy to be here. SF. Indiana Pacers. DAMIEN WILKINS
Next: Yeah, George Hill ain't coming back
Next up, Indiana will host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, December 6 at 7 p.m. EST.