Indiana Pacers edge out New Orleans Hornets 115-107 in a thriller: NBA Recap
Overtime was the theme here on the Wednesday night as Indiana Pacers versus New Orleans Hornets game was also dragged into the extra minutes.
Paul George scored a career-high 37 points to guide Indiana Pacers to a 115-107 win past the Hornets here at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Roy Hibbert scored a triple-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds and 11 blocks, David West collected 16 points and 7 rebounds while George Hill had 16 points and 7 assists for the Pacers.
Robin Lopez led the Hornets with 21 points and 13 rebounds, Ryan Anderson posted 17 points and 7 rebounds while Jason Smith came off the bench to score 18 points and 7 rebounds.
“It felt good to be in that zone and hopefully it can come out and give me a chance to do it again. ... I just have to continue to grow and stay loose and take the open shots when they come. I really felt good out there tonight and I want to thank my teammates for all the help and encouragement they have been giving me." George commented after the win.
The start to the opening period was cold as both teams missed quite a few chances and the Hornets were 5-0 up after two minutes of play. An Austin Rivers driving layup had the Hornets leading 14-8 at one stage. And they pushed their advantage to 25-17 after a Lance Thomas layup. The Hornets were in commanding position by the end of the period on 29-21.
Pacers started the second period sharply and made it a two point game at 28-30 after the early goings. They kept up the pressure and went ahead on 35-34 with a Hibbert hook shot. Hornets came back late in the period and some late scoring had them leading 47-43 by the end of the period.
The score was tied on 56 early after a George Hill shot from the three point land. Though it was pretty close for the rest of the quarter with scores tying and leads trading hands but the momentum seemed to be transferring to the Pacers as they went into the fourth period leading 75-74.
However, the Hornets got off to a great start in the fourth quarter and a Ryan Anderson triple put them up 86-79 early in the period. The Pacers were in no mood to go down tonight and started closing the gap, making it a 1 point game at 89-90 after George dropped down a three pointer.
Moments later, he scored two more from the three point land to put the Pacers up 97-93 with about a minute on the regulation. But the Hornets cancelled it all out on 97 to take the game into overtime.
It was all Pacers in the overtime as they demolished the Hornets hopes with a 10-0 run to jump up 107-97. Hornets tried desperately to slash the deficit but they could only cut it by 2 as the Pacers won 115-107 at the end of first overtime.
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