Saturday, February 22, 2014

Pacers trio enough to trip Bucks

The visiting Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 110-100 Saturday night. The Pacers are now 42-13 while the Bucks are 10-45.
The Big Plays
The Pacers used a 17-2 run midway through the second quarter to take control of this one, eventually building the lead to 22 points. The Bucks did not go easy though. Another big play in this one was at the end of the third quarter, with Bucks rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo apparently going in for a dunk, only to have it blocked on a hustle play by Pacers backup center Ian Mahinmi to keep the Pacers lead at seven going into the fourth quarter. And just so you know, when Andrew Bynum starts playing, no way he comes close to making that play.
The Ups
1) The Pacers needed a little boost to start the fourth quarter with Paul George and David West on the bench, so who better to provide that than Lance Stephenson. The player known as Born Ready scored the first seven points of the quarter to extend the Pacers lead to 14 points. Stephenson eventually finished just short of a triple double with 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Paul George had 32 points to help the Pacers
to a victory against the Bucks.
2) Paul George carried the Pacers in the third scoring 13 points in the quarter. And while George finished with 32 points, the good thing about it is that he seems to have regained some confidence, which showed by him going 5 of 7 from 3-point territory and also being more patient in the offense. He had just one turnover, much better than the seven turnover debacle against Minnesota. George also shot as if he was going to make shots in this one, instead of shooting not to miss. Even on his misses he looked more like the George we saw in the first month and a half of the season. That's what this team needs.
3) The Pacers did have a decided advantage inside and they took advantage of it by going to David West regularly. West responded by scoring 30 points, with seven rebounds and five assists. When West wasn't scoring he was looking and waiting for the cutter on offense to make the good pass too. And in the halfcourt offense, West is very good at finding the open man.
The Downs
1) The Pacers built the big lead but then let the team with the worst record in the league back in the game. Sure, you are on the road and the home team usually does make a run, but it would have been nice to see the Pacers build that 22 point lead up to 30, and really put doubt in the minds of the Bucks.
2) For the second straight game, the Pacers allowed the other team's best player to have his way. It was Kevin Love in Minnesota on Wednesday night, and then it was the Bucks' Brandon Knight in this one. Knight had 30 points and eight assists and almost single-handedly brought them back and did keep them in the game. Sometimes it was just way too easy for him.
Afterthoughts
This one was a lot more difficult than it probably should have been. The Pacers got that big lead in the second quarter and you could see the defense let up just a little. That, combined with the Bucks making a push to get back into it, made this a game again. But at least the Pacers didn't let this one get away and maybe that is something to build on going forward. And luckily with George, West and Stephenson combining for 86 points, that was enough for this win.
Next Up
The Pacers play host to the Los Angeles Lakers in a 7 p.m. game Tuesday. The Lakers have struggled mightily this season with a 19-36 record heading into Sunday night's game against Brooklyn. The Lakers have been hurt by the injury to Kobe Bryant as he has played in only six games due to injury. The Lakers are led by power forward Pau Gasol at 17 points and 10 rebounds, guard Nick Young at 16.9 points, guard Jodie Meeks at 14.5 points, guard Kendall Marshall at 10.5 points and 9.7 assists, center Chris Kaman at 10 points and six rebounds and Xavier Henry at 10.1 points. The Pacers won the first meeting in Los Angeles 104-92 back on Jan. 28.

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