Post-Game Grades: Pacers stay perfect on road trip, win tight bout over Clippers
By Dylan Hughes
After winning Games 1 and 2 of the West Coast road trip over Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, the Indiana Pacers snagged win no. 3 in a Sunday matinee over the Clippers.
Things are getting tight in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Toronto and Boston are secure in the top two seeds, but after that, anything can happen. Every win matters for the Pacers.
For Indiana to leap past Cleveland and Philadelphia in the standings, they need to keep winning while hoping the competition falters.
104. 77. 111. 100. Final
Sunday afternoon games in Los Angeles can go horribly if the players like to enjoy themselves on Saturday nights. When Indiana ended the first quarter down by eight, it looked as if the “elements” may get the best of them in this one.
But they pulled back, ending the first half down just one.
Thanks to one of Myles Turner’s best performances of the year, along with Victor Oladipo’s heroics and big shots from Cory Joseph and Bojan Bogdanovic, the Pacers were able to escape with a big win in LA.
The Good: The Pacers were down by 16 and were able to overcome it, winning their eighth game this season when trailing by 15 or more points—which leads the league.
The Bad: The Pacers were down by 16. Make it easier on yourselves, guys!
MVP:
LVP: Domantas Sabonis has really struggled since people figured out his offensive game. He finished this one with just two points on 1-of-5 shooting. It’s part of a larger trend.
X-Factor: Myles Turner is starting to get good at the little stuff—from passing on the move to defensive rotations to rebounding positioning. When he’s hitting 60 percent of his shots as well, you’ve got yourself a player.
PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON. A-. Collison didn’t do too much in this game until he a few big shots in the fourth quarter—so we’re not complaining.
SG. Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO. A+. Oladipo has arisen out of his inefficient funk and is back on his bull…stuff: 30 points, (11-of-17 shooting, 3-of-6 from three, 12 assists, five steals, four boards and a block.
BOJAN BOGDANOVIC. A. I am continually impressed by Bogdanovic finding success inside the three-point line. He didn’t hit his two 3s until the fourth quarter, just when the Pacers needed them.. SF. Indiana Pacers
A-. Sure, he shot 4-of-12. But if you want me to criticize Young and his constant activity and strong defense, it’s just not going to happen.. PF. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG
A+. Turner’s confidence is sky high right now, which will benefit Indiana as they jockey for a homecourt playoff seed. 24 points (9-of-15 shooting, 2-of-4 from three), eight boards, a block and a few nice putback dunks deserves the highest of grades.. C. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER
Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS. D. I’m too nice to fail Sabonis here, but he didn’t have much of a positive impact.. C
LANCE STEPHENSON. C+. Stephenson’s 0-of-5 shooting from deep hurt, but he brought down a couple big rebounds in the fourth and his penetration almost always means good things for the Pacers’ offense.. SG. Indiana Pacers
A-. Joseph drummed up some creative shots as the shot clock expired, hit key open threes and played awesome on defense—as per usual.. PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH
Next: Nedosljedan: Bojan Bogdanovic's wild ride
The Pacers will wrap up their road trip in Denver on Tuesday night before heading back home to host a healthier Golden State team on Thursday.