Post-Game Grades: Indiana Pacers fall to Washington Wizards, lose tiebreaker
By Ben Gibson
Injuries are part of the game, but missing two centers was evident as the Indiana Pacers fell to the Washington Wizards.
The Indiana Pacers were missing their best centers (Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis) while the Washington Wizards were missing their best player (John Wall). In the end, you had a not so pretty game between the two teams where Marcin Gortat vs Al Jefferson was the main event or at least the co-main event.
102. 100. Final. 109. 142
In the end, the depth of the Wizards won out as coach Nate McMillan threw in the towel/rode the hot hands late in the game. Yes, that meant clutch-time T.J. Leaf. That isn’t a knock on the move as the Pacers were a Glenn Robinson III 3-pointer away from cutting the lead to four late in the game. However, it was depressing to see a such a tactical move made as the loss to the Wizards means they hold the tiebreaker over the Pacers now.
And the way the playoff race is shaping up, that may be the only one that matters.
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The Pacers efforts were also hampered by 15 turnovers, which the Wizards converted into 26 points. Another factor was Washington’s ability to score in the paint, even if Indiana matched them in total points there. Washington group of bigs were 23 of 40 (57.5%) while Indiana’s went 12 of 26 (46.2%). The Pacers were simply having to work harder to get to the paint and score and were forced to go outside of it. That’s where the Wizards’ field goal percentage of 54.8% starts to overshadow the Pacers’ 45.3%.
The Good: The Pacers didn’t look completely hopeless without their centers. Washington won a war of attrition as Indiana looked worn down and elected to rest the starters late. A loss is a loss, but the Pacers didn’t get their collective ass handed to them.
The Bad: The Pacers lost the tiebreaker. That was a huge blow to their chances of getting homecourt in the first round. Indiana and the Wizards now share the same 40-30 record, with Cleveland a half-game ahead. If the Cavaliers lose, they would drop to fifth, the Pacers move to fourth, and the Wizards slide up to third. Be prepared to check the standings every night for the rest of the regular season.
MVP: Lance Stephenson’s 25 points on 10 of 15 shooting (66.7%) led the way for Indiana. The bench outplayed the Wizards’ and quite frankly, outplayed their own starters as well. That’s why McMillan let them stay in the game late.
LVP: Victor Oladipo’s struggles continue. Maybe it sharing the court with Cory Joseph instead of Darren Collison, maybe it’s tired legs, but Oladipo’s downward trend continued on Saturday night with a 7 of 16 (43.8%) performance.
B+. A 3 of 7 shooting night wouldn’t sound too great if it weren’t for the fact all three of those were 3-pointers. DC had 6 assists off the bench.. PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON
D. 18 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds, but also five turnovers. The starters all struggled once Al Jefferson cooled off.. SG. Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO
Got a bit of his shooting rhythm back with a 4 of 7 (57.1%) performance that included a perfect 3 for 3 night from beyond the arc. Committing four turnovers, however, take away some of the shine.. SF. Indiana Pacers. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC. C+
Thad wasn’t healthy coming into the game but scored five points while grabbing four rebounds.. PF. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG. ☤
C. It looked like Big Al’s post clinic was still open, but a three of four start gave way to 10 points on 4 of 11 shooting. Came up just short of a double-double with 9 rebounds.. C. Indiana Pacers. AL JEFFERSON
A season-high 25 points on 10 of 15 shooting, including 2 of 4 from deep. 5 rebounds and 5 assists helped Indiana stay in the game.. SG. Indiana Pacers. LANCE STEPHENSON. A
Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH. D. The starters played poorly, and so did CoJo. Only 5 points and 1 assist.. PG
B. 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. He is still hitting 3-pointers here and there, including making one of his three attempts on Saturday.. F. Indiana Pacers. TREVOR BOOKER
7 points, 2 rebounds, and played clutch-time minutes. Hopefully, he learned something from it.. PF. Indiana Pacers. TJ LEAF. C
PG. Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG. C. 4 points on 2 of 5 shooting. His stats don’t say much, but he was part of Indiana’s bench mob that kept them in the game.
ALEX POYTHRESS. INC. Didn’t do much in limited minutes.. SF. Indiana Pacers
2 assists and a rebound can’t cover up and 0 of 5 shooting night. He is still working to get back in rhythm after missing 58 games.. SG. Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON III. D
Next: Volatile Chemistry: Why last season’s Pacers underachieved
The Pacers take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday at 7 p.m. The canceled Pelicans game is now rescheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m., which canceled what would have been a three day break for the Pacers.