Post-Game Grades: Hawks lead once, then the Pacers pound them into submission
By Ben Gibson
The Indiana Pacers trailed by two points to start the game, but that was the only time the Atlanta Hawks led on their way to being routed by the Pacers.
The Indiana Pacers cleansed their palate on Friday night with an absolute drubbing of the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta made their first shot and took a two-point lead, but that was the first and only time they would be ahead in the entire game.
Final. 87. 125. 112. 100
A Cory Joseph 3-pointer quickly snatched that away and the Pacers were on their way to routing the Hawks. Unlike so many games this season, Indiana’s lead never dipped out of double-digits. Atlanta found itself on the wrong end of things as they looked like the now 20-46 team they are, and Indiana is back to 10 games above .500 for the second time this season with a 38-28 record.
The Pacers are only a half game out of third in the Eastern Conference, though they are tied with the Washington Wizards for now. However, with their tough schedule ahead, it won’t be easy for Indiana to move up in the standings.
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The Good: Darren Collison didn’t look like someone who had their knee scoped last month. His shooting was better than ever as he went 7 of 10 from the field and a perfect 2 of 2 from deep. He came off the bench as Cory Joseph remained in the starting role, but one can assume CoJo won’t keep it for long unless he keeps putting down a stat line like he did on Friday.
Joseph was 7 of 13 (53.8%) from the field and 2 of 4 from deep as he scored 18 points in the starting role. He grabbed seven rebounds and passed out four assists on the night while also finding time for a pair of steals.
The Bad: Is there a bad tonight? The bench was underwhelming but it wasn’t as if they coughed up the lead and forced the starters to return.
MVP: Myles Turner’s post-break surge continued with a double-double, his 9th of the season. It came in the form of 17 points and 12 rebounds, though he had a steal and two blocks to round out his night.
More impressive than the double-double was his 7 of 16 (43.8%) shooting that included a trio of 3-pointers.
X-Factor: Trevor Booker only had five 3-pointers coming into Friday’s game, but he had the shooter’s touch with a pair of 3-pointers. Those unexpected 3’s helped him put up 8 points to go with his 8 rebounds on the night.
A. Collison’s looked like he never left despite being gone for a month.. PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON
While Oladipo had 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, it was a relatively quiet night for Indiana’s star player. Thankfully, they were fine with a below-average game for his standards.. SG. Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO. B
SF. Indiana Pacers. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC. A+. After a minor hiccup against the Jazz, Bogdanovic’s resurgence continued with 21 points on 8 of 15 (53.3%) shooting, and 2 of 3 from beyond the arc. Even though the starters got extra rest, he still managed to be the game’s high scorer. He is averaging 19.2 points over his last 15 games.
THADDEUS YOUNG. C. A quiet night with 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals.. PF. Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER. A+. Post-All-Star, he’s averaging 13.2 points and 8.2 rebounds a game. Not a bad stretch so far.. C
Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS. C. Sabonis’ recent funk continued with 4 points and 3 rebounds.. C
LANCE STEPHENSON. B-. 6 points and 2 rebounds, but shot 3 of 6 from the field. Saw fewer minutes as Glenn Robinson and Trevor Booker got extended minutes.. SG. Indiana Pacers
One of his best game’s of the season, period. Since taking over the starting role in Collison’s absence, he is averaging 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists a game. More importantly, his defense is making us question if Indiana should leave him as the starter, or at least consider using him more with the starters when defense is needed.. PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH. A
Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON III. C. Zero points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists remind us that Glenn Robinson is still getting back up to speed after missing most of the season.. SG
F. Indiana Pacers. TREVOR BOOKER. A. Is Booker now a 3-point specialist? Doubtful, but he nearly got a double-double with 8 points and 8 rebounds.
Next: The Bogdaissance continues
The Pacers play the Boston Celtics on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.