Post-Game Grades: Indiana Pacers Tease The Timberwolves, but Hang On To Win
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The Indiana Pacers managed to weather the Timberwolves furious comeback, and hung on behind a massive game from Paul George.
The Good: The “Big 3” of Teague, PG, and Turner carried the Pacers on offense. The Wolves just couldn’t figure out how to contain all 3 of them at the same time, and the Pacers took turns attacking naturally.
The Bad: 16 bench points, and 8 of those were from Al Jefferson. Aaron Brooks and Monta Ellis couldn’t do anything, and GRob’s only real contributions came on jumpers off broken plays/loose balls.
MVP: Paul George. Tortured Andrew Wiggins the same way he toyed with DeMar DeRozan in last year’s playoffs. His step back jumper was undefendable.
LVP: I swear I’m not intentionally picking on Monta, but it’s got to be Monta Ellis. No points or assists on 6 shots.
X-Factor: Jeff Teague. Seems lately to take over at least once a game and will the team to 8-10 points when they’re struggling, and definitely did that tonight.
Paul George
Small Forward, Indiana Pacers
A32 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 12-22 shooting, 3-4 from three. Andrew Wiggins couldn’t even begin to guard him, and PG abused that matchup all night. Played like last year’s playoff Paul George. The buzzer beating 3 to end the first half was pretty, and he stole a move from Jeff Teague to work his way to 3 free throws.
Jeff Teague
Point Guard, Indiana Pacers
A-20 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists, 7-13 shooting and 3-5 from deep. Teague had a big stretch where he was nearly unstoppable, and the steal/exaggerate foul/wink at Zach Levine sequence was outstanding. 6 turnovers is way too many though
Myles Turner
Center, Indiana Pacers
A-23 points on 10-14 shooting, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks. Turner had a really, really good game on the offensive end, and was solid on D. He still need to find a few more rebounds throughout the game, but he played a phenomenal game otherwise
Thaddeus Young
Power Forward, Indiana Pacers
B+9 points on 4-10 shooting, 5 rebounds, 3 steals. Started off shooting terribly, but went hard at KAT on defense, and was active on help D as well.
C.J. Miles
Shooting Guard, Indiana Pacers
AHit maybe the biggest shot in the game, a well defended 3 while Timberwolves were surging. The Pacers probably don’t win this game without that shot. Hit 3 threes, shot 3-5 overall, had 6 rebounds from the shooting guard spot, and didn’t turn it over. That’s exactly what’s needed from that last spot in the starting lineup.
Glenn Robinson III
Small Forward, Indiana Pacers
B- 6 points, 2-2 shooting, 2-2 from the line. Didn’t do a ton, but hit 2 big midrange jumpers to salvage bad possessions in a row, at a critical juncture no less.
Monta Ellis
Shooting Guard, Indiana Pacers
D-0 points, 1 rebounds. 0-6 shooting. Yikes. Have to hope that this is a slump, and not a real decline in ability
Al Jefferson
Center, Indiana Pacers
B8 points on 4-6 shooting, 6 rebounds. The Timberwolves brought a double team every time he looked at the ball, but he still managed to have a solid overall night. Did finish at -7
Aaron Brooks
Point Guard, Indiana Pacers
C0 points, 0 assists, 3 rebounds. -1 on the night, did nothing at all. Unsurprisingly can’t guard Zach Levine
Lavoy Allen
Power Forward, Indiana Pacers
BWith Kevin Seraphin out, Lavoy made his (sort of) triumphant return to the rotation. 2 points and 5 boards in 17 minutes, and +6. He was the only reserve with a positive +/-Next: Paul George Named All-Star Reserve
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