Pacers dominated the draft this year and showed why in the win at Toronto
By Josh Rendall
![Jun 23, 2022; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number six overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports Jun 23, 2022; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Bennedict Mathurin (Arizona) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number six overall pick by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/1ee072e167e8228099aae88bfe317765634f11f9cab6f3f1632059d7f557edc5.jpg)
What was bad? And who was the player of the game for the Pacers?
Guarding Pascal Siakam is not an easy assignment. Even with the rim protector, Myles Turner, Siakam had a great night – 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. He also got the crowd going in the fourth quarter with plays like this one:
YEAHHHHH PASCAL 😤 pic.twitter.com/qDkI5sziTg
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 23, 2023
Fred Van Fleet had 28 points and 11 assists tonight as well. The floor general had a great game and does a great job getting others involved in the game, which might explain Siakam’s great second half stat line.
.@FredVanVleet making an impact on both ends 👏 pic.twitter.com/rRIPFeZpLv
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 23, 2023
Van Fleet is a player that I always dread playing against. When I watch him play, sometimes I forget how much of an impact he makes on the basketball court. He is a great leader for the Raptors. The dynamic duo almost did enough to win the game tonight.
Must Read. The greatest Pacer of all time. light
Boom Baby! Player of the Game
The player of the game has to be Andrew Nembhard. Stepping in for Haliburton, who was questionable for tonight’s game, the former Gonzaga Bulldog and Canadian had a career game. Look at this stat line!
Andrew Nembhard with a 🔥 NBA debut in Canada.
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 23, 2023
25 PTS
10 AST
2 REB pic.twitter.com/QAfONsSv8q
Oh boy… Did you see that last shot that essentially iced the game for the Pacers? That was an amazing performance in Toronto by Nembhard. He was the closer tonight, the closer that the Pacers have been missing with Haliburton out.
Next up… a visit to Boston. Will the Pacers close the gap on the play-in tournament or fold down the stretch? The last 9 games will tell.