Indiana Pacers: Player grades from the OT win over Minnesota
For the second straight game, the Indiana Pacers went to overtime after an inconsistent performance.
This go-around, however, they managed to come out on top, thanks to a 7-7 shooting performance from deep in the fourth quarter and OT. Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis combined for 11 of the 13 Pacers’ points in the extra period.
Nate Bjorkgren went with a small lineup to close, with Aaron Holiday and Jeremy Lamb getting heavy minutes down the stretch. That group helped Indiana rally late in the fourth and then seal the result in OT.
The Indiana Pacers fought back to get a much-needed win.
Despite being down five twice within the final two minutes of regulation, Indiana managed to battle back with a dunk from Brogdon and a crucial Lamb three. Sabonis then tied it at 121 with two free throws.
fly guy clutch 🥶 pic.twitter.com/oLiQItItsq
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 18, 2021
Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards missed a potential game-winner at the end of regulation that would have given the Pacers their second-straight loss.
After falling into an 88-98 hole early in the fourth, the Pacers went on a 14-2 scoring run to take a 102-100 lead, which marked their first lead in the second half. After porous defense for much of the game, Indiana’s defense was a big part of closing the gap.
The Timberwolves scored 88 points in 30 minutes.
— Pat Boylan (@PatBoylanPacers) February 18, 2021
Then have been held to 15 points in the next 12.
Just a remarkable turn in this one.
Pacers 107 Timberwolves 102 4:06 left
The third quarter was a drastic shift from the high-flying first half. Neither the Pacers nor the Timberwolves eclipsed the 20-point mark, after a first-half that saw neither team score less than 30 in a quarter.
Minnesota had a four-point cushion at the half after scoring 73 points. Their speed and ball movement gave Indiana’s defense fits for much of the two opening periods. Karl Anthony-Towns had a strong performance as he continues to ramp-up after dealing with COVID-19 earlier this year. Malik Beasley poured in 31 to go with Towns’ 30 and veteran guard Ricky Rubio had a double-double with 20 points and 13 assists.
Every Pacers’ starter besides Doug McDermott played at least 30 minutes in the game as Indiana continues to miss the absences of Caris Levert and T.J. Warren. Nate Bjorkgren stuck with an eight-man rotation and went with T.J. McConnell, A. Holiday, and Lamb off the bench.
Indiana Pacers grades from the win over Minnesota
Starters
A. Brogdon was crucial in closing the game out and had a much-improved shooting night. A 6-7 night from deep was needed after a bit of a shooting slump and he hit big shot after big shot to put the Pacers over the top. Nine rebounds and seven assists on top of the scoring made for a great night. Guard. Indiana Pacers. MALCOLM BROGDON
Holiday provided a much-needed steadiness and helped pick up some of the rebounding slack, collecting nine on the night. Only took eight shots but made two threes and was +14 in his minutes.. Guard/Forward. Indiana Pacers. JUSTIN HOLIDAY. B
Indiana Pacers. DOUG MCDERMOTT. C-. McDermott didn’t have a great night coming off of injury and didn’t see the floor much down the stretch. He seemed a little out-of-rhythm all night and struggled to get his typical looks.. Forward
Indiana Pacers. DOMANTAS SABONIS. A+. Sabonis, much like Brogdon, had been in a bit of a slump in the days leading up to tonight’s performance but quieted that in a big way tonight. A career-high in points to go along with 17 rebounds and 10 assists make for one of the better games of the season for the All-Star candidate.. Forward
MYLES TURNER. C+. Turner didn’t provide much offense but was a big part of the improved defense in the second half. Four blocks in 30 minutes add to his lead-leading block total as he continues to show his defensive value.. Center. Indiana Pacers
Bench
Indiana Pacers. T.J. MCCONNELL. B. McConnell didn’t have quite the shooting performance that he did on Monday night, but gave Indiana valuable minutes off the bench, as he usually does. Six points and six assists are what we’ve come to expect from McConnell to go along with his typical spark.. Guard
Holiday quietly had some of his biggest moments of the season, scoring 15 important points on only 9 shots from the field. Hopefully, this game can be a stepping-stone in a season that’s been mostly inconsistent for the young guard.. Guard. Indiana Pacers. AARON HOLIDAY. A
JEREMY LAMB. B. Lamb continues to give the Pacers a vital scoring punch, this time putting up 18 points off the bench and hitting the clutch three towards the end of regulation. His defense at times still leaves much to be desired, but his scoring from the wing is a necessity with their injuries.. Guard. Indiana Pacers
Next. Sabonis is Indiana's all-time leader in triple-doubles. dark