Chicago Bulls

Post-Game Grades: Chicago Bulls Trample the Indiana Pacers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:30 p.m. ET

Fansided, Ben Gibson/FanSided via 8 Points, 9 Seconds

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The Indiana Pacers disappoint in the first game after Christmas by falling to the Chicago Bulls in a low-scoring affair.

The Good: You probably weren’t watching and hopefully spending time with your family this Christmas season. The Indiana Pacers were still hungover on eggnog after having the last three days off while the Chicago Bulls did enough to win.

You can blame a lot of things for the Pacers struggles — the roster, Paul George, Monta Ellis, Larry Bird, Lavoy Allen, karma — but it is a little bit of everything when you see Indiana struggle like this.

The Bad: The usual problems returned with this inconsistent team. Despite holding the Bulls to 38.6% shooting — and shooting 42% themselves — the Pacers couldn’t muster enough offense in this low-scoring affair.

It probably didn’t help that Indiana sent Chicago to the line 28 times, where the Bulls scored 20 of their points. The Pacers, on the other hand, were 8 of 10.

MVP: Dwyane Wade because he scored 21 points to lead the Bulls and Pacers fans should wallow in their misery.

LVP: We, the fans.

X-Factor: Nikola Mirotic was 7 of 13 shooting for the Bulls, and 3 of 9 from beyond the arc. He was just behind Wade with 20 points.

Jimmy Butler got to the line 12 times, another factor in the loss for the Pacers, and scored 16 points.

Paul George

Small Forward, Indiana Pacers

C6 of 14 from the field for 14 points to go with 8 assists and 3 rebounds.

Jeff Teague

Point Guard, Indiana Pacers

D2 of 8 shooting, good for 6 points to go with his 5 assists.

Myles Turner

Center, Indiana Pacers

BAt least the future looks bright. Turner was 6 of 8 from the field, 1 of 3 from deep, and 1 of 2 from the line added up to 16 points. Had 8 rebounds and 2 blocks, too.

Thaddeus Young

Power Forward, Indiana Pacers

C12 points and 6 rebounds in a very Thaddeus Young-like performance.

Glenn Robinson III

Small Forward, Indiana Pacers

C-3 points, 6 rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal. A little of everything but didn’t add up to much.

Rodney Stuckey

Point Guard, Indiana Pacers

INCStuckey is hurt again.

C.J. Miles

Shooting Guard, Indiana Pacers

D0 of 6 shooting but had 4 rebounds.

Al Jefferson

Center, Indiana Pacers

C11 points and 6 rebounds.

Aaron Brooks

Point Guard, Indiana Pacers

AA great night for Brooks against his former team. 6 of 8 from the field and 3 of 4 from deep as well as 4 of 4 from the foul line. Also handed out 7 assists.

Kevin Seraphin

Center, Indiana Pacers

CHe got a block, so that was fun.