Quick Reaction: Pacers 125, Raptors 113

A very trying season is finally over

Oren and Brendan on The Rap Up one more time

IND Pacers125Final
Box Score
113TOR Raptors

A-
K. Birch41 MIN, 18 PTS, 14 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 8-15 FG, 0-3 3FG, 2-2 FT, 0 BLK, 1 TO, -9 +/-

It’s a weird thing to talk about because he didnt make one, but Khem is really getting comfortable taking that open three. Birch finished with his third double-double as a Raptor. He also had three of them earlier in the season with Orlando.

A-
D. Bembry42 MIN, 23 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL, 9-22 FG, 1-5 3FG, 4-4 FT, 0 BLK, 2 TO, -12 +/-

Louis mentioned Bembry’s bounce on the Rap Up after the Mavs game which I agreed with. He’s just been more explosive lately, whether its going to the rim or jumping passing lanes. Just needs an improved shot to turn into a really useful utility guy.

B-
S. Johnson43 MIN, 24 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST, 2 STL, 6-18 FG, 3-12 3FG, 9-11 FT, 0 BLK, 6 TO, -8 +/-

Didn’t shoot well, but carried over his wrecking ball mentality from the fourth quarter in Dallas to get to the free throw line. Lots of turnovers (he threw one off the glass like he was breaking a game of 21) but also quietly set a career high in assists.

A-
M. Flynn45 MIN, 27 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 8-22 FG, 5-13 3FG, 6-6 FT, 1 BLK, 2 TO, -12 +/-

Found his three point shot a little in the third quarter, getting a shoutout from a guest mentor on the mic (Fred). Forget the shooting percentage, all of this run Flynn is getting to end the season is invaluable. A lot of us were begging for him to play earlier in the year. Another new career-high for Malachi.

B-
F. Gillespie41 MIN, 7 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 3-9 FG, 0-0 3FG, 1-4 FT, 1 BLK, 0 TO, -14 +/-

Beast on the offensive glass. New nickname. As I said last game, he’s not a four but here we are.

B+
A. Baynes26 MIN, 14 PTS, 10 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 5-11 FG, 3-5 3FG, 1-2 FT, 2 BLK, 1 TO, -5 +/-

I don’t know about y’all, but watching a much better Aron Baynes to end the season is….a little upsetting? Especially the shooting. The man hit a three as the TRAILER. Like what? It’s the first time all season that Baynes has made three treys in a game. The fan account guy has to be losing his mind.

Inc
Nick Nurse

Six guys played. Last game of the season. Who cares about a coaching grade honestly.

Things We Saw

  1. OSHAE: How can you not be happy for the guy? He’s really taken off with the opportunity the Pacers have given him, putting up a career-high 31 points. Brissett had eight straight double digit scoring games earlier in the season. He’s shooting 40 percent on his threes. Awesome growth for the Mississauga native.
  2. FVV: Having Fred on the broadcast during the 3rd quarter was great, touching on numerous highs and lows this season. And apparently Gillie is now the Lobster Claw lol. VanVleet’s take on the Nate Bjokrgren controversy was especially interesting. He’s just a real one. The watch was crazy too.
  3. F**K TAMPA: Like Fred said, the Raptors all miss Toronto and hope that they can pick right back up like they never left. Get your ish together Ontario.