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NBA -- Paul ​George ​drops 36, Pacers nip Heat


PhilBoxing.com




INDIANA. ​Nostalgia was in the air on Friday night (Saturday morning Manila time) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse as the Indiana Pacers celebrated the 30th anniversary of the classic hoops flick "Hoosiers." The 1986 film, starring Gene

Hackman, is based on the real life state championship run of an Indiana high school team in the 1950s. The Pacers traded their blue and gold for maroon and gold uniforms with "Hickory" (the name of the movie town) emblazoned on the fronts of their jerseys. The cheerleaders were dressied in sock hop sweaters with Boomer the mascot transformed into a shade of red velvet cake.

And Paul George looked like his old self as he led his "Hickory" Pacers to victory over the visiting Miami Heat, 90-87. George led all scorers with a 36 point, 12 rebound performance. He scored 21 points in the second half alone to keep it close and made some clutch free throws in the waning minutes to seal the win.

The Pacers jumped out to an early lead with 11 points from George in the first six minutes of the game. The Heat closed out the first quarter of the game with a 10-0 run and tie the game at 26. The game remained tied at the half, 49-49. The second stanza proved to be the sort of hardworking game that these two teams are known for when they face off. Neither team led by more than 5 during the 24 minutes that featured six lead changes and five ties.

The Heat were led by forward Chris Bosh who also turned in a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Miami rookie forward Justise Winslow came off the bench with 13 points and 8 rebounds.

Of the matchup George acknowledged, "It's how our games always are. It's never really blowouts, either way. It's always a grind out game against this team. And we knew coming in, so it's good we were able to rise to the occasion."

Such an early season match up may belie the intensity of the rivalry between these two teams, who met in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014. Both teams were conspicuously absent from the playoffs last season. George was out with a broken leg for nearly the entire season and Bosh out for the second half with a blood clot in his lung. Now healthy and sporting decidedly "new look" rosters this season, both teams are ready to go at it and make a return to the playoffs.

The Indiana Pacers return to action on Sunday when they face the Cavaliers in Cleveland. The Heat begin a seven game home stand on Sunday when the Toronto Raptors come to Miami.

Photo: Paul Geroge (R) had 36 points as the Pacers veat Dwyane Wade and the Miam Heat​.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Adeline Deladisma.


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