Post-Game Grades: Pacers lose game that doesn’t matter, but youth gets some minutes
By Ben Gibson
The Indiana Pacers are locked into the 5th seed, so the youth got a chance against the lottery-bound Charlotte Hornets.
For the first time in years, the Indiana Pacers played a game that didn’t matter. Last year’s team had to play until Game 82 to get into the playoffs, and even in the season after Paul George’s injury, the Pacers were fighting to the bitter end. But for the first time since 2010, Indiana was in a game that had little obvious consequence or wasn’t a detour during The Struggle.
119. 170. 93. 100. Final
The bright side of the Pacers being locked into the 5th seed — while waiting for the outside possibility of playing someone other than the Cleveland Cavaliers — is coach Nate McMillan got to put some of the deep rotation players into the game after awhile.
While the end result was a loss, seeing another strong performance from Glenn Robinson III and T.J. Leaf reminding us his offensive game is NBA ready was worth coming up with ‘only’ 48 wins this season.
And oh yeah, we got teased with the possibility of Edmond Sumner being an NBA player.
First points in @EdmondSumner's @NBA career! https://t.co/FUXDBPTGEO
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 11, 2018
The Pacers led once early, but the Hornets controlled the game the rest of the way.
More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds
- 2 Studs, 1 dud from gut-wrenching Indiana Pacers loss to Charlotte Hornets
- Handing out early-season grades for Pacers’ Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin
- 3 positives, 2 negatives in Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. Cavaliers
- 2 positives, 3 negatives from first week of Indiana Pacers basketball
- Should Isaiah Jackson’s days with Indiana Pacers be numbered?
The Good: The staters and rotation players didn’t get hurt in their limited minutes. Seeing the youth of the Pacers was an added bonus.
The Bad: Myles Turner clearly wasn’t playing at full-speed, but considering the current slump he is in, a 1 of 8 shooting night wasn’t was he needed. Here’s to hoping he gets things together for the playoffs.
MVP: Glenn Robinson III might just be getting his feet back under him. After missing most of the season, Robinson is averaging 12.6 points in his last three games and hit a trio of three-pointers in all of those games.
Robinson’s contract ends with this season, but in these last few games, he gave Kevin Pritchard something to consider if he is hesitating to bring GR3 back.
X-Factor: We’re going to overanalyze that Sumner layup until we get to see him play again.
A. 13 points and 3 assists in a tune-up game for DC. Shot 5 of 11 from the field and 3 of 5 from deep.. PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON
MYLES TURNER. F. Get it together.. C. Indiana Pacers
DOMANTAS SABONIS. A. A bare minimum double-double from Domas with 10 points and 10 rebounds.. C. Indiana Pacers
LANCE STEPHENSON. B-. 9 point, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists is a very Lance Stephenson stat line.. SG. Indiana Pacers
PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH. B. CoJo played all 82 regular games, along with Lance Stephenson. If the Pacers hadn’t rested Thad, the trio all would have accomplished it.
A. 13 points on 6 of 12 shooting. Leaf’s offense remains ready for the NBA, but his defense is still in question. However, that wasn’t an issue on Tuesday.. PF. Indiana Pacers. TJ LEAF
B. The de facto frontcourt coach of the Pacers had 12 points on a 5 of 7 shooting night. Grabbed 5 rebounds, too.. C. Indiana Pacers. AL JEFFERSON
Indiana Pacers. JOE YOUNG. B-. Joe Young’s 7 points came on 3 of 8 shooting, but his lone 3-pointer reminds us he proved himself worthy of a deep reserve role this season if nothing else.. PG
I’m still not sure why the Pacers signed him because why have him on the roster if he only plays 3 minutes in a meaningless game.. SF. Indiana Pacers. ALEX POYTHRESS. ?
A. GRIII had XIII points on V of XI shooting, including III of IV from deep. He also had VIII rebounds.. SG. Indiana Pacers. GLENN ROBINSON III
Next: Oladipo's April free throw funk
Now the Pacers wait for the playoffs to start.