Indiana Pacers: Player grades from bounce back win over the New Orleans Pelicans

Player grades for the Indiana Pacers bench against the Pelicans

Chris Duarte: B

Chris Duarte is still easing his way back after a brief sabbatical, ending the game with just eight markers while shooting just four of 10 from the field and failing to hit a triple. There’ nothing to worry about at this juncture, but you can only wonder if his first game off the bench this season may end up being the first of many given how the Pacers performed.

TJ McConnell: A-

TJMC was back to his usual energizer mode against the Pels, filling up the box score with six points, three rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks in only 19 minutes. What more can you ask for?

Torrey Craig: A-

Again, Torrey Craig’s defense and rebounding continue to be top-notch for Indiana this season. If he can sink his threes at a better rate (slightly below 29 percent), I’d actually be comfortable with him getting more minutes than what he’s been getting so far.

Kelan Martin: B

Kelan suddenly becoming an aggressive scorer is not something within my preseason foresight, but I’d say he must shoot with more caution next time. Keep up the D, though.

Goga Bitadze: B

Goga continues to struggle offensively, especially with his three-point shot, but his defense (three block against  NOLA in just 15 minutes!) has been incredible this season. If you ask me, he’s a keeper.

Rest of the Bench: INC

The third stringers didn’t play well, but it’s certainly hard to extract more out of them after playing the bulk of the second half against the Hornets and the Pacers nursing a massive lead. Some complacency in this context is borderline acceptable.