Indiana Pacers: Player grades from big win over the Spurs

Domantas Sabonis led the Indiana Pacers by outsmarting the Spurs defense

After a string of stat-filled, yet underwhelming performances in recent games, Domantas Sabonis finally came back to All-Star form against San Antonio. Finishing the night with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists on a wildly efficient 73.3 percent shooting from the floor, he methodically attacked the Spurs defense without much difficulty.

Even Jakob Poeltl, one of the league’s most effective interior defenders, couldn’t stop the All-Star. With the Pacers milking the clock for the most part to negate San Antonio’s transition game, Domas found his rhythm and functioned like the offensive catalyst he has always been, not being tentative and secondary at all like in their previous losses.

Better yet, Sabonis showed great chemistry with Caris LeVert, who’s still easing his way back from injury. Their pick-and-roll game, which was very effective last season, adds a wrinkle on the Pacers offense that will make the team a lot more unpredictable and alive.

As I’ve said previously, with Indiana usually outsizing their opponents, Sabonis (and Turner) has to be assertive and domineering at all times. Against the small-ball Spurs, he was able to show a blueprint for success by attacking with precision and reading the defense, staying ten toes on the post and punishing double teams that come his way.

Grade: A+