Despite what appears to be a brewing recession following four consecutive losses, the Indiana Pacers finally snapped their skid, scoring their first win of the homestand over the Washington Wizards to improve to 10-16 on the season.
The Pacers appeared determined throughout the game, never looking back after a toe-to-toe contest with their adversaries late in the first quarter. Leading by as much as 17, the Blue and Gold ultimately edged the Wizards in a shootout, as both teams shot north of 50 percent from the field.
After a 58-47 lead at halftime, Washington flirted with a comeback a couple of times, even inching towards making it a three-possession contest to start the final frame before Caris LeVert reeled in nine points in the period to effectively send the Wizards to the losing circle.
Domantas Sabonis led the charge for Indiana, finishing with a team-high 30 points, converting 11 of his 15 field goal attempts. LeVert added 19 markers while Malcolm Brogdon chipped in 17 in a winning effort. On the flip side, Bradley Beal’s game-high 34 points paced Washington in a losing cause.
As the Indiana Pacers continue their six-game homestand against the New York Knicks, here are player grades from their crucial win over the Washington Wizards to snap their four-game losing streak.
Domantas Sabonis proved why he is the Indiana Pacers’ ace with an amazing outing against the Wizards
Following up-and-down performances to start December off, Domantas Sabonis responded in an emphatic manner on Monday night, playing hero for the Indiana Pacers with one of his most efficient showings this season.
Ending the contest with 30 points on 73.3 percent shooting overall, including 10 rebounds, and six assists, Domas continuously punished and thoroughly outplayed the Wizards’ undersized frontline manned by Daniel Gafford and Montrezl Harrell, finishing a game-high +14.
Sabonis has been tallying less sterling numbers than a season ago, but the impetus for this decline has been his smaller usage rate. He only attempted 15 shots against Washington, but his efficiency is a simple reason why he should be putting up more. After all, at his best, he’s the Indiana Pacers’ most dangerous weapon.
Domantas Sabonis: A+
Player grades for the Indiana Pacers starters against the Wizards
Malcolm Brogdon: A
Malcolm failed to sink a three-pointer, but he shot 46.2 percent overall on an economical 13 field goal attempts, including six boards and eight assists. It seems like the Pacers fare better when the shot distribution is a lot more balanced, and Brogdon is the catalyst for that.
Chris Duarte: B+
Duarte had a modest scoring night with 13 markers on four conversions in eight tries, but he was assertive on D, raking up four steals in 25 minutes. Still, the rookie is a lot better operating as the featured option off the bench, a possibility that the coaching staff could consider in the following games.
Caris LeVert: A-
19 points including nine in the final frame to seal the win? Well, that’s the Caris LeVert that this team needs moving forward as injuries start piling up. Oh, and three blocks? Sheesh.
Myles Turner: C+
Myles was his usual monstrous self deterring shots at the rim, tallying four blocks, but against the Wizards’ frontline, you’d expect him to have another great game. He did not, which was a perplexing thing considering he dropped a career-high 40 points in their first meeting between both teams.
Player grades for the Indiana Pacers bench against the Wizards
Oshae Brissett: A+
Finally. After spending most of the season in Rick Carlisle’s doghouse, the third-year forward turned in his most impressive game since the Miami game in October, finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds and sinking all three of his attempts from downtown. With Justin Holiday out, Oshae Brissett should have ample opportunity to make his case to be in the rotation.
Jeremy Lamb: B
After struggling against the Heat, Lamb made sure he was felt in his limited minutes, finishing with double-digits while draining a couple of treys, albeit with three turnovers. With Duarte starting and TJ McConnell sidelined, his scoring off the bench will be crucial.
Kelan Martin: B-
Martin has been logging significant minutes all season long, and his burst of energy is the main reason why. Continuing to shoot the ball well from the perimeter will be (two treys against WAS) will only make sure he retains his ample court time.
Brad Wanamaker: B+
There are better options in lieu of Wanamaker in the market, but he played well in just 12 minutes, dropping four assists against only a single turnover.