Pacers coach Frank Vogel has gotten some criticism for resting Paul George at the beginning of the fourth quarter, according to ESPN.com. The Pacers blew a 13-point lead against the Raptors and lost Game 5 of the series in Toronto. Now, the Raptors can finish them with a win in Game 6 Friday night in Indianapolis.
At the start of the fourth, the Pacers were still in control of the game. In fact, they were in control the entire game leading up until that point. By all accounts this is a good time to rest a star player. Ultimately, the Raptors bench is so much stronger then the Pacers’ bench, they were able to come from behind and barely win the game.
The Pacers have done a great job this series while the Raptors, as the favored No. 2 seed, are constantly playing nervous. Toronto just can’t seem to get into the same gear that saw them win a franchise-record 56 games during the regular season. However, when the Raptors do go on a run, the Pacers — without Paul George on the court — can’t seem to stop them.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Pacers were 0-for-10 from the field, had three turnovers and scored just one point during the 6 minutes, 55 seconds that George was out of the game. The Raptors were 7-for-14, scored 19 points and didn’t turn over the ball during the same stretch.
So, should Paul George play all 48 minutes of the game?
George says he will do whatever it takes to win and is willing to play the entire game – if necessary. Both he and coach Frank Vogel have said they will decide during the game if that’s what needs to happen. This is a study in semantics, though; at the end of the day, the entire Pacers team will need to step up, and the bench will have to find a way to maintain or even build on any lead they have when the starters, including George, get subbed out.
We’ve seen Paul George win a game on his own, but an entire series? If the Pacers are going to come back and win this series, someone other then George is going to have to step up and have a monster game. That’s true even if he does play all 48 minutes.
The Raptors are desperate to get out of the first round. The weight of the entire franchise’s history is on their shoulders. They need this win more then the Pacers do.
The only question is: Will they play like it?
(Via ESPN)
