Solomon Hill instrumental in Pacers win over Houston
BY TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — One night after a rather embarrassing loss to the Nets, the Pacers were back in action Sunday night, needing a win over the Houston Rockets. They blew a 16-point lead, and nearly gave another close game away. In the end, they were able to prevail. The main reason? Solomon Hill.
Sure, other guys had much bigger numbers on the night. But with the game on the line, it was Solomon Hill’s hustle and defense that helped the Pacers seal a 104-101 victory at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
“He made winning plays,” Coach Frank Vogel said after the win. “He made hustle plays, got deflections, and got on the floor after loose balls. He was a big part of the win.”
The Pacers trailed 92-87 with 6:57 remaining, but they countered Houston’s big run with a 13-3 run of their own. “Solo” came in to guard James Harden, and really made an impact on both ends of the floor. It turned out being one of the most impactful two point, five rebound, three assist, and two steal night you’ll ever see.
“I’m just trying to be a winning player,” Hill said. “It’s just about the right plays. When I see guys feeding off my energy, it makes a difference.”
When asked about his tough defense, Hill responded: “I’ve been guarding Paul (George) for three years. Coaches have always told me that playing defense will always get you a chance to be on the floor.”
The Pacers held the Rockets to their second-lowest 3-point percentage of the season (21.2%). Paul George led the way with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Ian Mahinmi also recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Monta Ellis added 23 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. Those players obviously contributed a lot to the victory, but the Pacers needed Solomon Hill’s effort at just the right time.
“I think I do what I gotta do every day,” Hill said. “I come to practice and work hard, and I trust Coach to put me in the right situations.”
With the win, the Pacers continue holding tight to the 7th-seed in the Eastern Conference with just nine games to play. They’ll have a big match-up with the Chicago Bulls at home on Tuesday night.
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