Post-Game Grades: Mayor of Indianapolis, Victor Oladipo, leads Pacers over Celtics
The Indiana Pacers pulled off an amazing victory over the Boston Celtics thanks to more late-game heroics from Victor Oladipo.
In a game most people would’ve expected the Indiana Pacers to lose, Indiana dug deep and found a way to keep it just close enough for yet another dramatic, heroic ending to transpire at the hands of Victor Oladipo.
The Pacers were on night two of a back-to-back, while Boston had the day off yesterday. But it did not matter in the end, as Indiana withstood everything the Celtics threw their way and started their three-game homestand on a high note.
Victor Oladipo, just like last year: pic.twitter.com/EprXiplXyM
— Tony East (@TonyREast) November 4, 2018
101. 18. 102. 100. Final
It’s Victor’s city, and we’re all just living in it
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Victor Oladipo won the game for the Pacers tonight on an outrageously clutch three-point shot to steal the game away from the opposition. It seems no amount of pressure is too much for the Pacers’ all-star guard, who always seems to step-up huge in moments like tonight’s.
The Pacers’ bench continues to be huge this season
The reserves for the Blue and Gold tonight put up a healthy 37 points, which was extremely important on night two of a back-to-back. When a team plays two games in consecutive days, it typically leads to tired legs and short shots when players start to run out of gas in the second half. Thankfully, this didn’t happen tonight thanks to the bench being able to come in, give the starters a breather, and hold down the fort for as long as they were needed. Boston’s bench scored 39 points themselves, so if Indy’s didn’t perform this well in this game, the Celtics likely would have left Indianapolis with a victory.
Free throws made the difference
In a game where Boston added 8 more made three-point baskets than the Pacers, Indiana had to find other ways to give themselves an advantage in this one. They found their edge on the free throw line tonight, where the Pacers added 19 points as opposed to Boston’s 6. The Pacers did a marvelous job of drawing fouls and capitalized by making 76% of their foul shots, which is good for them lately.
Collison was solid in this one. The stat line isn’t crazy at 9/2/4, but he shot the ball well and took care of it for the entire game.. PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON. B
A+. Look, I know Vic didn’t <em>actually </em>shoot well at all tonight, but he hit the ones that mattered. It was encouraging to see him launch 13 three-pointers tonight because a lack of shooting from long-range for the Pacers this season has been a point of frustration for some. Vic hit all 8 free throws he shot, and he nailed his signature clutch late-game dagger to lead the team to a win tonight. Vic, lemme take you out to lunch tomorrow. You deserve it.. SG. Indiana Pacers. VICTOR OLADIPO
SF. Indiana Pacers. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC. A-. Bogey looked great in this one and contributed on both ends, which is usually rare for him since he’s primarily only a threat on offense. Active hands led him to a team-high three steals tonight. He shot well, but you’re used to that by now.
Tough one for Thad tonight on offense, but this dude finds a way to contribute every night regardless of if the shots are falling or not. Despite only going 2 for 12 from the field, he added 8 boards (3 offensive), 5 assists, and a steal. Mr. Glue Guy strikes again.. PF. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG. B
MYLES TURNER. B. A solid contribution from Myles on both ends. He shot the ball well from the mid-range tonight, which is always good to see. Perfect from the charity stripe as well.. C. Indiana Pacers
B+. Sabonis was having a sub-par game by his standards until he decided to hit a few shots in a row during the fourth quarter. His play late in the game played a huge role in the Pacers getting the win tonight. McMillan even went with Sabonis over Turner late in the game, which was interesting.. C. Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS
This was the most comfortable Tyreke has looked as a Pacer so far this season. His offense was flowing, and he was able to hit from everywhere. He was the Pacers’ second-leading scorer despite only playing 22 minutes.. SG. Indiana Pacers. TYREKE EVANS. A-
CORY JOSEPH. D+. A dud from Cory tonight overall, who only added 1 point and was 0 for 5 from the field. There’s a possible issue brewing with CoJo’s shot selection. At times, it seems like the ball stays in his hands for entirely too long before he puts up some awkward floater or a contested mid-range shot. Here’s to hoping it’s not as bad on Monday night. We’ll need Good Cory against the Rockets.. PG. Indiana Pacers
SF. Indiana Pacers. DOUG MCDERMOTT. D+. Dougie got next to nothing going in 11 minutes of action tonight. He only was able to get two shots off, so there’s not a lot he really could do to help the team in this one.
PF. Indiana Pacers. TJ LEAF. B. Leaf was surprisingly good in this game. He got to play in the 4th quarter, which is rare for him, but he was up to the task and put in two dunks and hit a shot. He was helpful.
Next. Thaddeus Young’s 600 career starts defined by his unselfish and efficient play. dark
The Pacers stay at home for their next matchup Monday night at 7:00 PM against James Harden and the Rockets. Houston has underperformed so far this season, but they’ve had some injury issues that have held them back thus far. On Monday, they expect to have Harden, Paul, and Anthony all healthy and ready to go. The Pacers will have to be on their “A Game” in this one.