Pacers win second straight
By TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — One night after picking up their first win of the season, the Pacers secured another victory on Wednesday night, defeating the Boston Celtics 100-98 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Indiana led for most of the game, but still found themselves trailing 82-78 with 7:52 left in the fourth quarter. Paul George helped to lead an 11-2 run to put the Pacers in a good position. The pesky Celtics kept fighting and tied the game back up with 1:05 to play. In the end, it was a pair of clutch free-throws by Monta Ellis and a final defensive stop that helped the Pacers hang on.
Paul George led the way with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Hill also recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Playing without Ian Mahinmi and C.J. Miles due to injury, the Pacers started Jordan Hill and LaVoy Allen up front. With those guys crashing hard, the Pacers out-rebounded their opponent for the first time this season, and grabbed a season-high 21 offensive rebounds.
Glen Robinson III was also given his first minutes of the year, and he delivered by tying his career-high with 10 points in 19 minutes.
“He (Robinson) had a strong performance,” Coach Frank Vogel said. “If he plays like that I’m going to have to find minutes for him.”
“I was just trying to make an impact,” Robinson said after the win. “I just wanted to come in and provide a spark on both ends. I’ve got a lot great veterans around me, and a lot of guys helping me. I just want to get better.”
The Pacers only shot 38.5% from the field on the night (35-of-91), but used a solid defensive effort to pull out the victory.
Point guard George Hill was pleased with the effort: “We found a way to get stops when it really mattered. Like I told the guys before, we’ve got to get back to winning those ugly games.”
With two straight wins under their belt, the Pacers will look to continue their winning ways on Friday night against the Miami Heat. It will be the first of six “Hickory” nights at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
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