Post-Game Grades: Pacers cruise, Suns lose
By Ben Renz
The Indiana Pacers came out strong and never let up, torching the Phoenix Suns and giving the Pacer starters plenty of rest for tomorrow night’s second game of a back-to-back
The Indiana Pacers kicked off the first of a five-game road stretch Sunday night in Phoenix against the rebuilding Suns (16-28), who were without their second-leading scorer, small forward TJ Warren. Though the Pacers were missing Myles Turner for the third straight game, the Suns — 27th in Offensive Rating, 29th in Defensive Rating — would need a major performance from Devin Booker (the league’s 10th leading scorer) to strike much fear in these Pacers.
100. Final. 97. 66. 120
The Pacers — feeling themselves after a win against the Cavs on Friday — came out quick, up 30-16 after one quarter, largely off Oladipo’s 11 points and two steals. The Suns didn’t make things easy on themselves, making just two of 15 (!) from three-point attempts in the quarter.
Things got even better for the Pacers in the second, as they pushed their lead, up 20 by the half’s end. Phoenix continued their abysmal lights-on shooting, finishing the half with 36% FG to Indiana’s 53% — including Big Al’s eight points and two steals in just nine minutes of first-half action.
The third quarter was more of the same for both squads as Indiana continued to push their lead, with Collison knocking down field goals of his own in the period before Nate sat down the starters for good. This one was over.
Catching your own dunk in your lap should be worth a bonus point.
— iPacers.com (@iPacersblog) January 15, 2018
Victor Oladipo. #NBAVote https://t.co/trXxpj1rZj
The Pacers won their third straight game in Phoenix for the first time in franchise history – weird how that hadn’t happened before, huh? That big performance from Devin Booker never arrived, with the 21-year-old SG shooting just five for 16 on the night. Rookie Josh Jackson had 21, with ten of them coming in the first.
Sunday night’s quick-n-precise W was exactly what the Pacers were hoping for to kick off the five-game road trip. While the Suns aren’t exactly an A-level test for the Pacers, it’s encouraging to see everyone come out and play well in a dominant win.
The Good: Seven Pacers tonight in double figures, including Joey Buckets and Big Al. If those two are in double figures, that usually indicates a Pacers W. The Pacers turned the ball over just six times tonight and shot 11 for 23 from three-range (48%).
The Bad: The Pacers allowed Tyson Chandler and Alex Len to grab six and four offensive rebounds, respectively. These boards didn’t hurt Indiana too badly tonight, but it’s something the Pacers need to work on going forward.
MVP: It’s become a very familiar tune, but Dipo gets the MVP tonight. Mr. Feathery’s 17 points weren’t a team-high, but his four steals were, and all that in just 21 minutes(!!). It’s great to have him back.
LVP: Dragan Bender, 2016 lottery pick, who didn’t score a single point in 30 minutes of action and turned the ball over three times.
X-Factor:
Big night for @ChrisDenari as Darius Rucker is in the house...and @NaptownSeth is always lurking. pic.twitter.com/bXWqzYqyb7
— Jeremiah Johnson (@PacersJJ) January 15, 2018
A. DC was instrumental in putting the game away for good in the 3rd, finished the game with a team-high 19 points, and got the post-game interview.. PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON
A+. Feathery was quite Feathery tonight in 21 minutes. 17 points on six for 11 shooting, four steals, and grabbed five boards for good measure.. SG. Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO
BOJAN BOGDANOVIC. B. Scored 14 on four for ten shooting in his 21 minutes. Looked aight.. SF. Indiana Pacers
A-. Classic Thad game: 10 points, four for seven shooting, four boards, and two dimes in his 25 minutes. Took a couple questionable shots, but when they go in, I can’t complain.. PF. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG
B+. Another start for Domas. While his four points left him the only starter not in double figures, his 14 rebounds were invaluable tonight. Really should work on his ball security, though.. C. Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS
A-. Lance had an incredible cross-court pass to TJ Leaf in the first half that more than makes up for his five fouls in 20 minutes. His efficient nine points were helpful, and he’s definitely proud of his five dimes.. SG. Indiana Pacers. LANCE STEPHENSON
A. Workmanlike game from CoJoe. A team-high 32 minutes tonight, Cory shot seven for 11 from the field on his way to 16 points, six dimes, and a steal. Wonderful.. PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH
TJ LEAF. B-. TJ shot well – four for six, nine points – in his 23 minutes, but it’d be nice to see more from him during blowouts like this one.. PF. Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers. AL JEFFERSON. A-. Big Al’s play was a <em>noice</em> surprise in this one. In 19 minutes, Big Classic had ten points on five of nine shooting, seven boards, two steals, and a charming halftime interview.. C
B+. Buckets had a couple Grown Man finishes in this one, finishing with 10 points on four of seven shooting.. PG. Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG
C+. Got five minutes, but didn’t do anything noticeable with ’em. Still looks like an NBA player out there.. SF. Indiana Pacers. ALEX POYTHRESS
IKE ANIGBOGU. B-. Just five minutes, but hit his only shot, grabbed a board, and blocked a shot.. C. Indiana Pacers
Next: Can Al Jefferson still be helpful?
The Pacers were thankful for tonight’s bonus rest, as they take on the Utah Jazz tomorrow, Monday, at 9:00 p.m. to round out MLK Day.