Post-game grades: Pacers win three straight, beat Nets 108-103
By Kevin Kaspar
The Indiana Pacers head into the NBA All-Star break with the sixth-best record in the eastern conference after beating the Brooklyn Nets 108-103.
The Indiana Pacers head into the all-star break with a 33-25 record after disposing of the Nets tonight in Brooklyn. However, the victory did not come easy as both squads looked more focused on vacation then the task at hand.
100. Final. 103. 147. 108
On Tuesday, head coach Nate McMillan likened the last game before the all-star break to the final day of classes before spring break for college students. Per Pacers.com, McMillan stated, “Some guys are already on vacation … All coaches are trying to prevent that from happening.”
The play first, work second mentality showed in Indiana’s game; shooting just 43% all night while allowing Brooklyn to shoot 42%. That said, all Pacers not named Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis head into a well earned weekend off.
The Good: The Pacers’ record improves 33-25 and places them in 6th place in the Eastern Conference. Indiana continues to defy preseason expectations night in and night out.
The Bad: All things offense. Both Indiana and Brooklyn were ice cold from the field tonight. It is difficult to give 100% effort in the doldrums of the rigorous NBA season, especially when the players are staring a weekend off right in the face. The Pacers will be fresh and ready to go when they play at home next Friday versus Atlanta.
MVP: BAH GAWD! THAT’S AL JEFFERSON’S MUSIC! Big Al turned back the clocks and had a great night for the Pacers. Jefferson finished with 13 points on 6/7 shooting and three rebounds.
LVP: Joe Young. Young has been on a tear over the past month. However, Joey Buckets’ momentum came to a screeching halt tonight, scoring just two points in 14 minutes.
X-Factor: Cory Joseph. Joseph filled in admirably for the injured Darren Collison tonight. He earned a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
A-. Indiana’s lone all-star was great once again tonight. Oladipo finished with 25 points, four assists, and three rebounds.. SG. Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO
B+. Bogdanovic shooting streak was on display once again for Indiana. Bogey was 5-11 from FG, while earning 14 points, five rebounds, and two steals.. SF. Indiana Pacers. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC
Young earned 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists tonight in Brooklyn.. PF. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG. B
A-. Myles Turner posted another double-double tonight with 11 points and 14 rebounds. However, six of Turner’s 11 points came via the free throw line, as Turner was just 2-8 from the field.. C. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
B+. Domantas Sabonis netted eight points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 23 minutes of action. Look for Sabonis Friday night during the Rising Stars Challenge.. C. Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS
C+. Lance Stephenson continues to struggle away from Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Stephenson scored just seven points on 3-7 shooting.. SG. Indiana Pacers. LANCE STEPHENSON
A+. Cory Joseph was the best player on the court tonight. He earned a double-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks. Joseph’s outstanding play of late has made Darren Collison’s knee injury marginally more tolerable for Indiana.. PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH
Indiana Pacers. AL JEFFERSON. A. Al Jefferson has discovered time travel and sent his younger self to 2018 to play for Indiana. While Jefferson played just eight minutes tonight, his presence was felt throughout the arena. The vet scored 13 points on 6-7 shooting.. C
Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG. C-. Joey Buckets did not live up to his name tonight. Young scored just two points all game.. PG
Next: Small Forward Wednesdays: Coach McMillan knows – Bojan is back
The Pacers play at home next Friday, 2/23, against the Atlanta Hawks.