Pacers can’t be stopped by Wizardry, get past Washington
By Tony East
The Indiana Pacers tried to blow it, but they were able to hold on and win in Washington
The Indiana Pacers tried to kill me tonight. That is the only explanation I have for the last two minutes of the game.
If that was the team’s goal, they failed, because they held on to win and I survived.
142. Final. 119. 100. 112
The Pacers had a 15 point halftime lead, but they let it get away from them in the later parts of the third quarter. Then they got the advantage back to 13, but the Wiz cut it to 2 with 6 minutes to go in the game. But the Pacers found a way to hold on to the game and win.
Some of it was due to clutch heroics from Darren Collison. He had 11 points in the final 5:09 of this game and his scoring was a crucial part of the Pacers victory.
A balanced attack was key for the Pacers in this game. 7 different players scored in double figures, and Kyle O’Quinn was just two points away from making it 8. Thaddeus Young led the way with 22, but everybody played a part in scoring the ball in this one.
Speaking of O’Quinn, he is fitting in a-ok as the starting center. He also had my favorite play of the game as he dove into the stands for an assist… and he stayed in his seat to watch.
Courtside seats and another assist for @Kyle_OQuinn pic.twitter.com/RYSlsEZZEh
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 24, 2019
Kyle O’Quinn is a boss
When your third center can step in and start and casually drop an 8 point, 6 rebound, 5 assist stat line, you have a special player for your third string center. O’Quinn did just that, and just one night after grabbing double-digit rebounds.
You sign a guy like O’Quinn to be injury insurance, and he has been sublime in that role. He made the first basket of the game tonight and kept things rolling the whole way.
This Wesley Matthews guy is pretty good…
14 points and 3 assists don’t look like a ton. But Wesley Matthews proved once again how valuable he can be in this game.
His defense on Bradley Beal was sensational in the first half. He had a few clutch buckets and overall his play down the stretch was great. He only turned it over once. Matthews played another great game and was crucial in the win, and he reminded us again that he can get buckets.
McDermott, doing stuff
Two straight great games from Doug McDermott. He hit 4/5 from downtown tonight, something that had escaped him just before the All-Star break. Having him return to form from long range will really help the second unit over the final month of the year.
Grades:
B. An atypical turnover game for Collison, as he coughed up 5 in this one. But his clutch scoring was more than needed and he was good overall.. PG. Indiana Pacers. DARREN COLLISON
WESLEY MATTHEWS. A -. As already described, 14 points and 3 rebounds were just the tip of the iceberg for Matthews on this night. He was very good.. SG. Indiana Pacers
BOJAN BOGDANOVIC. B +. 18 points for Bogey, which has become the new norm for him. Missing all 4 of his free throws was the biggest knock off his game. He’s normally money from there.. SF. Indiana Pacers
A. 22 points. 4 rebounds. 3 assists. His matchup, Jeff Green, shot 1/6.<p>Thad is so good.</p>. PF. Indiana Pacers. THADDEUS YOUNG
C. Indiana Pacers. KYLE O'QUINN. B +. 8-6-5 for O’Quinn, who is filling in well with Myles Turner out. O’Quinn had two fantastic hustle plays in this game. He is putting in some work.
C. Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS. A -. 13 points and 12 rebounds, another ho-hum double-double for Sabonis. The team was a +11 with him on the floor, the best of any Pacer. 4 fouls are the only knock on his performance.
2 points, 1 assist, and 3 turnovers for Tyreke Evans. Yeah, a bad offensive night. Thankfully, his D was adequate.. SG. Indiana Pacers. TYREKE EVANS. D +
A -. 10 points for Cory Joseph, which is a quality scoring game for him. He added 5 assists, too. His offensive pallet was refined tonight. And his D was, as usual, solid.. PG. Indiana Pacers. CORY JOSEPH
B. 12 points on 4/5 shooting from deep, and he was fouled on his one miss. McD did more than what is expected of him tonight, though he still has his weaknesses.. SF. Indiana Pacers. DOUG MCDERMOTT
C +. Leaf quietly got more minutes than Tyreke Evans and Doug McDermott in this game. He had 4 points and 1 rebound in 15 minutes. I never really felt his presence, but he didn’t do anything noticeably bad.. PF. Indiana Pacers. TJ LEAF
A. Nothing to complain about. Had the right guys out there at the right times. Waded through Darren Collison’s mid-game injury just fine.. Head Coach. Indiana Pacers. NATE MCMILLAN
Next. Can the Indiana Pacers win a playoff series?. dark
The Pacers next travel to Detroit for a Central Division battle with the Pistons on Monday.