Halloween? More like Hallo-win. After a dispiriting October which saw them end up 1-6, the Indiana Pacers finally ended their four-game losing skid, routing the San Antonio Spurs at home to start off November on a winning note.
Behind a balanced scoring attack, with six different players finishing with double-digits, the Pacers managed to claim a decisive victory over the Spurs. Indiana cruised with a big lead all night, leading by as much as 26 in their first game against the Western Conference. This was also the first time that the Blue and Gold outscored their opponents in the dreaded third quarter, winning the period 31-27.
Overall, the Pacers shot a blistering 57.1 percent on the floor on 37 assists, including 47.4 percent on threes via 18 makes. All of those marks were easily season-highs for the reeling Indiana squad. Domantas Sabonis led the effort with 24 points and 13 boards while Myles Turner added 19 markers in 24 minutes. Chris Duarte, Justin Holiday, and the returning Caris LeVert, in his second game back, combined for 51.
San Antonio, a top-10 defensive unit entering the contest, shot well from the floor, but simply couldn’t get enough stops against Indiana’s efficient offense, especially behind the arc. The Spurs were led by Dejounte Murray’s 16 points and seven assists. Eight different players finished with double-digits.
With a tough test at home against the upstart New York Knicks coming on Wednesday, here are the player grades from the Indiana Pacers’ big win over the San Antonio 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+
Player grades for the Indiana Pacers starters against the Spurs
Caris LeVert: B+
In his second game back, Caris LeVert finished with 16 points and seven assists, showing chemistry on the pick-and-roll with Sabonis. While he committed three turnovers and shot just six of 19 overall, his shooting should improve as he sharpens his conditioning from injury.
Myles Turner: A
The runner-up for Game MVP, Turner’s 19 points and three blocks on 70 percent shooting in just 24 minutes is very impressive, snapping a string of disappointing games from him. Also, his presence alone discouraged San Antonio from attacking the rim.
Chris Duarte: A-
Rookie of the Year frontrunner, huh. Chris Duarte ended the game with 18 points on an efficient six of 11 from the field, including four of six on threes. Really, the only knack in his performance against the Spurs was his being out of position on D at times.
TJ McConnell: A
Easily his best game of the season so far, McConnell finished with a double-double by virtue of 10 points and 10 assists. More impressively, he didn’t commit a single turnover and registered three steals, providing sparky energy all night.
Player grades for the Indiana Pacers bench against the Spurs
Justin Holiday: A
Justin Holiday scored 17 by sinking five of his seven three-point tries. His defensive instincts returned. Need I say more? Seems like Holiday plays best on holidays.
Torrey Craig: B+
Typical Craig game. With solid defense all throughout, he was a positive boost of energy off the bench. And he sunk a three-pointer. Good enough.
Brad Wanamaker: B
You read this one right. I would’ve given him a B-, but for the sake of keeping up with the glorious theme, take it as it is. Wanamaker played relatively well, save for one boneheaded pass in garbage time.
Kelan Martin: A-
Subtly making his season debut, Kelan Martin played quite well, showing his 3-and-D acumen by draining two treys. Don’t let his team-worst plus-minus cloud your judgment. He is a great depth piece who plays with hustle and physicality.
Rest of the Bench: INC (A?)
Goga Bitadze was hardly felt. Oshae Brissett barely played (questionable, right?). However, Duane Washington Jr. electrified the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in his limited minutes, making two quick baskets for his first NBA points.