Grades: Jurassic Park becomes real, Raptors beat Pacers

The Pacers played a fantastic game against the Raptors for 35 minutes. Unfortunately, the game is 48 minutes long.

The Indiana Pacers looked like they were going to win the basketball game they played in tonight, But then they didn’t. It was a tough loss, as the Pacers led most of the way but ultimately couldn’t get it done.

Elephant in the room – the refs blew another call at the end of the game. And, like in the Cavs game last night, it could have changed the outcome of the game. With Indiana down three with a few seconds to go, OG Annunoby fouled Bojan Bogdanovic on a three-point attempt, but it went uncalled.

Ideally, you don’t let the game get to that point. But it was at that point, and the refs have to get that right. Two nights in a two the refs have missed a call that tangibly changed the game. Tough. Moving on.

The team’s offense completely died in the fourth quarter. McMillan stopped running plays, and the guys just isolated every possession. They only scored 11 points in the frame while Toronto scored 24. Ballgame.

Also, Kawhi Leonard is really good. 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists while being a complete menace on defense the whole game is just insane. He’s insane. Moving on.

Take care of the ball

20 turnovers are unacceptable. The Raps only had 9. That is the difference right there. You have to take care of the ball, possessions matter.

Darren Collison had 5 of those and Victor Oladipo had 6. Those guys handle the ball a lot, but they coughed it up way too much. There needs to be more of a focus on keeping the ball in the Pacers hands, even against an elite defense like Toronto’s.

Bojan Bogdanovic continues to play fantastically

Bojan Bogdanovic has put up double-digit points in every game for over a month. This is who he is now. He is an impressive scorer with a refined arsenal of moves that allow him to get to the rim while also being one of the best 3-point shooters in the league.

There’s not an award for going from a pretty good player to a really good player, that isn’t the mold of the Most Improved Player award. But Bogey has gotten so much better this season, and he is such a threat on the offensive end of the floor.

Free throws. Make them.

This game makes two in a row where the Pacers have been under 70 percent shooting on free throws. You have to make them. That has to be better.

Grades:

The Pacers travel to Brooklyn for their next game on Friday where they look to right the ship and get back on track.