Pacers snap Cleveland’s 12 game win streak
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertaiment)
INDIANAPOLIS — Ever since Larry Bird spoke about a possible return of Paul George, the Pacers have played inspired basketball. They followed up a win over Detroit on Wednesday with another big win Friday night over the surging Cavaliers. The Cavs had won 12 straight games coming into this one, but the Pacers snapped their streak with a 103-99 victory at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Cleveland got off to a fast start, connecting on 13 of their first 20 shots. They led 48-35 at one point in the 2nd quarter. LeBron James played like LeBron James in the first half, scoring 16 points to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Cleveland took a 55-47 lead into halftime.
C.J. Miles just had five points in the first half and was 1-for-5 from three. But like other streaky shooters, it only takes one made shot to get him going. Miles exploded with 21 second half points, leading the charge in the Pacers comeback.
“It’s about staying confident,” Miles said after the win. “After a poor first half, it’s big for coach to still have confidence in me and to call plays for me to succeed. Once you see one go down, you just have to find that rhythm again.”
Point guard George Hill was also instrumental in the win. He scored 20 points, to go along with seven assists. He also had the play of the game- a four-point play that he shot with one hand. Coach Frank Vogel joked about the play: “I make him practice that shot every day in practice. Genius preparation on my part.” The Pacers are now 7-5 this season when Hill plays. As he continues to play more minutes, it will only help the Pacers moving forward.
Solomon Hill looked like the player he was early in the season in this game. He scored 11 points, had a monster dunk, and played solid defense late, holding LeBron James to just nine second-half points. “We definitely wanted it tonight,” Hill said. “I think we’re really pulling it together and are really ready to compete.”
David West had a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds. For the game, the Pacers had 26 assists to go along with only eight turnovers.
Coach Vogel was pleased with the effort: “We need some quality wins if we’re going to get back in the playoff race. This was an opportunity to do that. We haven’t had one of these in a while.”
The Pacers will try to build on their two game winning streak as they face Lance Stephenson and the Hornets on Sunday night in Charlotte.
Follow Tyler on Twitter: @TylerSmith_ISL
