Indiana Pacers (9-0) 104 Milwaukee Bucks (2-6) 77
Nov 15, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) takes a shot and has the shot blocked by both Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) and center Roy Hibbert (55) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Let the wins keep coming for the Indiana Pacers as they had their best performance of the season in last night’s win. This game was in the Pacers’ control for most of the way. Even in that short burst of 9 straight points for the Milwaukee Bucks in the third quarter, there was never that sense that the Pacers would blow the lead. There’s just this look and focus to the team, I don’t recall seeing in a long time. Each guy out there is playing hard on defense. Guys are making the extra pass to get someone else a shot. They’re communicating to each other. Each guy has that look of confidence in their play.
I don’t recall Roy Hibbert looking as good as he has in last night’s win. 24 points. 10 rebounds. 8 blocks. With those 8 blocks, Hibbert has more blocks than about half the teams in the NBA. Just read that sentence again. MORE BLOCKS THAN TEAMS. That’s how impressive Hibbert has been on the defensive end. He had it all working last night as he only missed 2 shots in his 24 points. It would have been nice to see another triple double for the big man in the middle as he was right there, but the way the Pacers were playing and with a game tonight, Hibbert didn’t need to continue playing. If he can get close to this production, just think how dangerous the Pacers become. Even more dangerous when the outside presence of Paul George is working as well as he is.
Paul George goes out and gets another 20 point game to start the season. He went out in the third quarter and got 10 points to continue his strong play in that quarter. Strong enough to put him at the top of the league in third quarter scoring. No shot was bigger than the one that he took a pass from Roy Hibbert, shot it, and took off down the court before it even went through the basket. That’s the confidence that George is playing with this season. That’s the confidence that can carry this Pacers team to those new heights they want to achieve. That’s the confidence that will be needed in tonight’s encounter with the Chicago Bulls.
It’s one win last night against a divisional opponent as the Pacers are now 4-0 in the Central with a 4 game lead over tonight’s opponent, the Chicago Bulls. Round Two for what should be a good intense game between these teams. Both are coming off playing last night, so points might be a premium tonight. Don’t think ever team puts up 100 points. For the Pacers, a win really gets that mental edge in this series, and pads the Central Division lead. For the Bulls, they want to show they’re not ready to give in yet to the Pacers. I expect quite an atmosphere tonight, and looking forward to “just another regular season game.”