Post-Game Grades: Pacers hammer healthier Warriors
By Ben Gibson
The Indiana Pacers struggled to beat an injury-ravaged Warriors last month, so of course, they easily beat them on Thursday.
The Indiana Pacers easily dismissed a healthier Golden State Warriors after struggling to beat their bench and reserves a month before.
41. 126. 100. Final. 106
Basketball is weird, man.
While Golden State took an early lead, Indiana rolled past them by beating them at their own game. The Pacers made 15 3-pointers to Golden State’s nine and simply played better defense throughout. Indiana typically gives up too many 3-point attempts, but they have a knack for defending them well. By keeping Golden State under 30 percent from, Indiana rendered that potent weapon ineffective for the Warriors.
Stephen Curry is out of action still, but Bojan Bogdanovic made up for it with six 3-pointers. His 28 points led the way in scoring for both teams.
Victor Oladipo showed how he is adjusting to double-teams and added pressure on him as he racked up 7 assists by finding the open man.
The Good: The Pacers picked up a win that few might have expected them to. It may be a late-season game, but Golden State’s starters played around 30 minutes each, so it’s hard to make too many excuses for the Warriors.
Indiana isn’t better than Golden State, but the win drives home how they can be a dangerous foe to any of the Eastern Conference’s playoff teams.
The Bad: Going to a game to see a player you know is injured.
MVP: It has to be Bojan. He was nearly perfect shooting the ball as he went 11 of 13 from the floor and made 6 of his 7 3-point attempts. Indiana wins with a lesser game from Bojan, but his scoring made sure the Warriors threw in the towel.
LVP: Again, going to a game to see a player you know is injured.
X-Factor: Team rebounding played a part as Indiana grabbed 47 to Golden State’s 39. None of the Pacers were in double-digits, but Domantas Sabonis’ 9 and Thaddeus Young’s 8 led the way.
A. Darren Collison’s ability to carefully distribute showed with 5 assists and only one turnover. On top of that, 15 points and 5 rebounds make for a very solid night.. PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON
A+. If you needed a reminder of what makes the Pacers dangerous, look no further than Victor Oladipo. His 9 of 17 shooting performance was elevated by a 3 of 5 night from deep. But of course, that’s not all he does as his 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals can attest to.. SG. Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO
A+. Yeezy, Yeezy, Yeezy just jumped over Jumpman, but he ain’t jumping over Bojan.. SF. Indiana Pacers. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC
A. 16 points and 8 rebounds are almost expected from Thaddeus Young, but the five assists he handed out reminds us of his versatility.. PF. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG
A cold-streak continues as he had 8 points and 3 rebounds.. C. Indiana Pacers. MYLES TURNER. C-
Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS. B+. 13 points and 9 rebounds? Good.<br />4 of 11 shooting? Bad.<br />4 of 5 shooting on the free throw line? Good.. C
Lance Stephenson’s two 3-pointers were timely in the first half. They pushed Indiana when the game was far from being decided and a long way before it was clear the Pacers were running away with the win. He finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.. SG. Indiana Pacers. LANCE STEPHENSON. B
C+. 5 points and 4 assists. Played decent defense but it wasn’t a night worth putting on his resume.. PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH
C-. 2 points, 1 assists, but at least those points came on an alley-oop from Stephenson.. SG. Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON III
B. 4 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists for this sneaky-good signing.. F. Indiana Pacers. TREVOR BOOKER
Next: Do you like the show “Martin”? Victor Oladipo sure as hell does
No rest for the Pacers as they face the Toronto Raptors at 7:30 p.m. today.