Hill returns, Hayward shines, but Pacers win
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — Gordon Hayward put on a show in his home state. George Hill returned to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. But the Pacers spoiled their homecoming party with a 107-100 victory.
Paul George didn’t make a shot in the 1st half (0-for-8) and struggled for most of the game. But when it counted the most, PG hit the game’s biggest shots down the stretch. “I’m a warrior, and I’m confident,” George said. “Late in the games, that’s when I’m most confident.”
George scored 10 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, and also contributed eight rebounds and five assists.
Six Pacers scored in double-figures on the night. Indiana improved to 15-5 on the season when that happens.
For the Jazz, former Butler star and Brownsburg native Gordon Hayward scored a career-high 38 points. He shot 16-of-24 from the field, but did miss a 3-point attempt that could’ve tied the game in the final minute. In the end, the Pacers survived the late Utah run to improve to 25-10 on their home floor this season.
“I think it’s obvious our guys feed off our crowd,” said Pacers Coach Nate McMillan. “We feed off the energy in the building. We played well from start to finish against a very good team.”
Point guard Jeff Teague added: “We know we can win here. We feel like we’re going to win every game here. We’ve just got to take that on the road.”
Teague had a strong game with 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The man he was traded for, former Pacer George Hill, finished with 16 points, and six assists.
“This franchise has meant a lot to him,” Jazz Coach Quin Snyder said about George Hill. “I think he has really, really good feelings about the time he spent here and the city itself.”
The Pacers have now alternated wins and losses in 14 straight games. They’ve been the epitome of an up-and-down team. With the Atlanta Hawks losing in Charlotte, the Pacers are within one game of the No. 5-seed in the Eastern Conference, but are also only ahead of ninth place by two games.
“We just have to buckle down,” said Jeff Teague. “It’s a tight race and we want to be in the playoffs.”
Paul George admitted to watching the scoreboard and standings. “We see what Milwaukee is doing, and what Miami is doing. Chicago and Detroit as well. We’re not far from being the ones on the outside. We’ve got to take care of business.”
Only 12 games remain for Indiana. Three of the next four games are also at home for Indiana, but first things first: A tough road match-up awaits in Boston on Wednesday night.
