Post-Game Grades: Pacers turn over game to East-worst Hawks
By Ben Renz
The Pacers were down by as much as 23-points before mounting an ultimately futile comeback against the Hawks
After Monday’s shallow loss to the Mavericks, the Indiana Pacers ought to have come out ready to prove themselves against the not-trying-to-win Atlanta Hawks – 15th in the East and in the midst of a four-game L streak. But that did not happen.
125. 102. 100. Final. 107
Two-game losing streaks shouldn’t strike panic in the hearts of fans, but this one feels a bit different. The Pacers looked lifeless early, but managed to keep things close despite 10 first-half turnovers in Thaddeus Young’s 800th career NBA game. Friday night’s Feel Good Pacers were long in the rear-view.
The Pacers went into the half down 55-50, a deficit that would’ve felt a whole lot more cavernous against a better opponent. Surely the second-half would be more agreeable to Pacers fans.
Eh. But it wasn’t. Cory Joseph momentarily became the league’s worst passer for a minute, and the Pacers turned the ball over THREE times in just over a minute of action to begin the second-half. The turnovers continued to balloon, and the Hawks were more than happy to get their lead as high as 23 points.
The game felt over, but the Pacers – always proponents of the comeback – made their push, largely on the back of some timely Bojan three-pointers. The Pacers went on a classically Fool’s Gold Swagger-ish run. Indiana was able to get the lead down to just two points off a Sabonis putback, but an inability to stop Dennis Schroder combined with a tear-out-Bojan’s-remaining-hairs Bojan turnover turned tonight’s potential comeback into the world’s Pacers fans collectively sighing, Really??
Tonight’s 24 turnovers were easily a season-high for Indiana.
The Good: The Good? Bojan shot a Brick Squad-worthy 10-for-17 on his way to 26 points, but sealed the L with a bonehead off-the-foot turnover – just one of his FOUR. Domas had 12 rebounds, but turned the ball over FIVE times himself. There ain’t much of a silver-lining to this loss. According to the box score, Vic did have six steals of his own, keeping his steal-streak alive at 44 games, but this was in the midst of a 9-for-25 shooting night. So, ya know.
The Bad:
Ouch 😬😂 pic.twitter.com/20ERKTbKfG
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 1, 2018
Other than that? THE TURNOVERS! TWENTY-FREAKIN’-FOUR OF ‘EM! That’s pretty bad!!
Also, Vic shot 1-for-9 from deep. Also very bad!
MVP:
https://twitter.com/FSIndiana/status/969012390158262272
LVP: Who gets the LVP? Well, Domas and Lance each had FIVE turnovers. Bojan had four. CoJo and Vic each had three. CoJo also was 0-for-5 tonight from the field, scored zero points, had four fouls, and still, somehow, was one of the few Pacers to finish with a positive plus-minus: +5. Because I fail to understand +/-, if just for tonight, I’ll give CoJo the LVP.
Get better soon, DC.
X-Factor:
LANCE. https://t.co/RrUfgGM0BZ
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 1, 2018
Lance was a major part of keeping the Pacers in this one, finishing with a team-high plus-minus of +11 despite this five turnovers.
C+. For all his turnovers and missed-shots, Vic had a pretty-eh-okay outing: his 36 percent shooting still led to 22 points, five rebounds (three of them ORBs!), five assists, a block, and those SIX steals. Even when he’s just ‘meh,’ he’s still pretty damn feathery.. SG. Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO
Bojan was THISCLOSE to being Indiana’s savior tonight, but his late-TO was costly. Still, the improved-stroke continues. 26 points, 5-for-9 from deep(!), three rebounds, two dimes, and a block. Four turnovers = BOGDANOSONOFAVIC.. SF. Indiana Pacers. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC. B+
C+. Team-worst plus-minus tonight of -14; not ideal for his 800th career game – name the 40 guys currently playing with more games than Thad (hint: one of them is a Pacer). Trivia aside, Thad looked okay. 5-for-11 for 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, two blocks, and just one turnover.. PF. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG
C. Myles’ four fouls limited him to just 15 minutes in this one. In the end, Nate ran with the lineup that brought on the comeback, but still, Nate’s rotational decisions when it comes to foul-troubled players continues to be a bit disconcerting. Four fouls does not equal six fouls — I crunched the numbers. Myles ought to have gotten more minutes out there tonight. He finished with five points, five boards, a turnover, and zero blocks. Not unlike with Vic in Monday’s loss, it’s a shame to see a coach’s concern over foul trouble needlessly remove a valuable player from the rotation.. C. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
C. Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS. C+. 14 points on 4-for-7 shooting, 12 rebounds (four ORBs!), three assists — BUT — five turnovers.
Lance got 30 minutes tonight, going 7-for-14 from the field to the tune of 18 points, six rebounds, two assists, a steal — BUT — five turnovers. Had some super-strong drives to the basket in this one and played a role in the forgettable comeback.. SG. Indiana Pacers. LANCE STEPHENSON. C+
D. Has got to step up in DC’s absence. Please, CoJo! Indiana begs you!. PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH
C+. Mighty Joe got 17 minutes of burn tonight, went 2-for-6 from the field for six points (both of his makes were treys), a steal, two bounds, a dime, and — of course — two turnovers.. PG. Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG
GLENN ROBINSON III. C+. Glenn got 12 minutes, but wasn’t particularly noticeable out there. He failed to score on three shots, but still grabbed three boards, dished a dime, and notched both a block and a steal.. SF. Indiana Pacers
Next: Report: Pacers to sign Trevor Booker
The Pacers will get a day off before heading up to Milwaukee to take on the underachieving Bucks. Tip-off is 8:00 p.m. ET.