Post-Game Grades: Oladipo, Pacers claw back and take the lead from the Bulls
By Ben Renz
Indiana Pacers refuse to quit, fight back from a 17-point deficit to beat the Chicago Bulls.
100. Final. 96. 24. 98
The Indiana Pacers took on a Chicago Bulls team coming into Indianapolis dragging a nine-game losing streak on Wednesday night. You might have reasonably expected the Pacers to take care of the Bulls, easily and handily, like they did last month with an 18-point trouncing against arguably the worst team in the league.
But on Wednesday night, the Pacers delivered their worst first-half scoring output of the season with just 39 points, taking a 16-point deficit into the half to struggle their way out from under. Recent Pacers play might suggest this to be an extremely possible exercise against these Bulls, but Indiana spent the third quarter further making their case against an eventual comeback.
The Pacers continued to keep the fans at Bankers Life uneasy, waiting until about halfway through the fourth to knock down some buckets, get some much-needed stops on the other end, and make that comeback. With just thirty seconds left in the game, Indiana got their first lead all night on a pull-up transition three by Victor Oladipo.
Bang.
This @VicOladipo sequence gave us the lead for good.#PacersWin https://t.co/xVDl9q9Awn
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 7, 2017
And that did it. Deep breath. Pacers fans can relax.
The Good: The last half of the fourth quarter.
The Bad: The first three-and-a-half quarters.
MVP: Dipo! He saved the team tonight with that dagger three. And yes, he missed one of two free-throws at the very end there, but he made sure to do the mandatory ten push-ups per missed free-throw — even if it was during the post-game interview.
LVP: The overconfidence that comes with playing a weak Bulls team.
X-Factor: Bojan. Combining with Dipo to score 18 of the Pacers’ 29 fourth-quarter points, Bojan continues his monstrous season from behind the arc. Not that we’re especially surprised.
B. Scored 14 necessary points, but Nate going with CoJo down the stretch kept DC’s minutes limited.. PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON
SG. Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO. A. Yes, he was the official Lifesaver© of tonight’s game, but his 5 turnovers are keeping him from getting that plus mark. But with 27 points, 8 boards, 3 steals, and the go-ahead basket, Dipo was yet again essential to a Pacers win.
A-. Bojan continues being that counted-upon steady presence for this Pacers team, going a gentlemanly three for six tonight from deep, on his way 17 points, and playing a major role in the comeback.. SF. Indiana Pacers. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC
Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG. B. Though he shot poorly, Thad still managed to lead the team in plus-minus (15). He had a bit of a rough first-half, but did those little things Thad does that don’t show up in the box score. His ten points and nine boards (five of them on the offensive end!), however, <em>do</em> show up in the box score.. PF
B. Myles will gladly continue to lead the league in blocks, swatting four shots on the evening. He went 0 for 3 from deep, but that sweet sound of his jumper falling through the net more than makes up for it. Myles also turned in 11 points, seven boards, and SIX DIMES.. C. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
C. Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS. C+. Domas efficiently put in six points and grabbed five boards in 21 minutes, but his defensive lapses hurt.
I never want to say a bad thing about Lance, but he wasn’t able to make much happen out there tonight in his fifteen minutes, going 3 for 9 on the night, and missing all three of his attempts from deep.. SG. Indiana Pacers. LANCE STEPHENSON. C-
B. CoJo’s play tonight was unremarkable, but solid. Coming into the game questionable due to shoulder soreness, Joseph got the bulk of the minutes at the point. Though he scored just seven points and dished just three dimes, his three steals really helped keep the Pacers in the game. PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH
Eh. If a Leaf plays five minutes and logs one foul, does it warrant a post-game grade?. PF. Indiana Pacers. TJ LEAF
Played very briefly, but I remember him doing something cool. I’ll give him a B- because I can’t remember what that cool-something was.. PG. Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG. B-
Next: Pacers holding the line in latest power rankings
Up next, the Pacers continue their stretch at home this Friday, December 8th at 7 PM EST against the streaking Cavs. Gulp.