And so the frustrating trend continues. The Indiana Pacers went into Golden State hoping to snap a two-game losing streak — but again, choked down the stretch as Monta Ellis (who dropped 36) and Stephon Curry put the game away with big baskets. Final score 110-108.
Interestingly, on the last play, with 0.6 seconds left, O’Brien tried what Andrew Bogut did to the Pacers (remember that alley tip at the buzzer?) — but Tyler Hansbrough couldn’t get a handle on the ball. Game. Set. Match. Pacers drop to 16-23 and the confidence continues to drop.
Where do I start with this one? This was one of those games where no matter how much the Pacers were leading by, I just knew — I just knew the Warriors were going to come back and win the game. The Pacers did get some bad calls in the fourth quarter but they threw the ball away so many times on crucial possessions or took impossibly bad shots. This is a team that plays well in spurts, but rarely when it counts.
Granger had 32 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists on a decent shooting night (11-19) but failed to get the job done when it mattered. Seven turnovers, including a big one when the Pacers were going for the win. There was a time when Granger was considered one of the most underrated players in the game, but is he now overrated?
Guys like Monta Ellis stepped up when it counted and hit the big game winner over a very good defender in Brandon Rush. That is one big time player. He was unstoppable and made plays when he had to. Look at the Pacers’ last few opponents. Clippers — Blake Griffin, Baron Davis, Eric Gordon — big time players. Bulls — Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer — big time players. The Pacers count on Granger to be that guy but he isn’t. But who else can they count on?
Excuse me while I go tear my hair out.
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