Post-Game Grades: Pacers start fast, but LeBron saves the Cavaliers in Game 5
By William Furr
The Indiana Pacers came out hot and threw some haymakers in the 2nd quarter, but LeBron James was too much to handle in a critical Game 5 loss.
It’s easy to forget how casually great LeBron James is. He reminded everyone this game, getting to the rim any time he wanted no matter who was defending him. The Pacers carried a 7 point lead into halftime, but were absolutely crushed to the tune of 32-17 in a decisive 3rd quarter.
156. 95. 100. Final. 98
After 3 straight games of trailing at the half, the Pacers came out strong against Cleveland and had a 10 point lead in the first and a 9 point lead in the second. That hot start didn’t translate beyond that, as the Cavs took over behind LeBron James’ apparently unending brilliance. James had 35 through 3 quarters and willed the Cavs to victory.
Despite Victor Oladipo’s massive struggles, the squad improbably battled back behind Domas Sabonis and tied the game at 95 with under a minute to go. Unfortunately, 3 seconds was apparently too much time to give LeBron James, and the Pacers didn’t use their foul to give before LeBron yet again ripped the heart of out fans everywhere with a game-winning 3 as time expired.
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The Good: The guys fought back. LeBron kept throwing punches, they kept getting back up. Unfortunately, LeBron threw the final punch.
The Bad: Victor Oladipo. Yikes, Vic. If he’s not legitimately awful, Indiana wins this game. He was awful.
MVP: Domas Sabonis. Kept the team in the game through Myles Turner’s foul trouble and hurricane LeBron. Pacers might’ve lost by 20 without Sabonis getting buckets.
LVP: Darren Collison. He did nothing helpful at any point in the game. The almost 50/40/90 point guard was absolutely useless on offense.
X-Factor: Cory Joseph. 6 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and played his ass off on defense.
DARREN COLLISON. F. 4 points and 3 assists in 21 minutes, only 1-5 from the field. Didn’t see the court much in the 2nd half. PG. Indiana Pacers
VICTOR OLADIPO. F. Let’s get this straight – that last layup was goaltended, but juuuuuuust barely. Vic was 2-15 from the field, 1-7 from deep. Cleveland has rocked him back on his heels and he can’t seem to get back steady. Only saved from the dreaded F- by having 12 boards. SG. Indiana Pacers
D. 11 points, 3-5 from deep is nice, but had 4 turnovers. Looked awful early, did nothing late.. SF. Indiana Pacers. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC
B. 16 and 6 on 8-9 shooting. Seemed like the only Pacers that bothered LeBron even a little, despite LeBron making the buzzer beater over him.. PF. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG
MYLES TURNER. D. 8 points and 3 rebounds isn’t enough from the young fella. He was saddled with foul trouble all game long, not all of his doing. The Pacers gave James open paths right into Myles Turner’s waiting fouls.. C. Indiana Pacers
A+. One of the few Pacers that seemed like the moment wasn’t too big. 22 huge points on 8-12 shooting kept the Pacers alive for far longer than it seemed likely, including the game tying bucket with less than a minute left. Played tough d on LeBron, but lacks the quickness to actually stop him. C. Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS
Indiana Pacers. LANCE STEPHENSON. A. 12 points and 4 assists, with only 1 turnover. Had a good Lance night overall, including a crucial buzzer beating 3 at the end of the 3rd. Unfortunately, it was only the 2nd biggest buzzer beater of the night.. SG
PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH. B+. 6 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block. The team needs him to hit 3’s, but he did everything else possible tonight. Such a nasty defender.
C. 11 minutes, 4 points. The Pacers tried him on LeBron tonight. That went about as well as the Pacers trying anyone else on LeBron, which I guess is a credit to him?. F. Indiana Pacers. TREVOR BOOKER
Next: Myles Turner is putting it all together
Indiana faces elimination at the hands of the fightin’ LeBrons on Friday, 4/27. Time is TBD