Pacers 101, Bobcats 77
NDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers put an end to their two-game home losing streak and Paul George is headed to his first All-Star game feeling good.
That's a heck of a combination for the Pacers.
George recorded a triple-double in the Pacers' 101-77 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Wednesday.
George, a reserve on the Eastern Conference All-Star team, had 23 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. He walked off the court to a standing ovation with 3:25 left and the Pacers leading by 20 points. The Pacers have recorded three triple-doubles this season.
George wasn't the only Pacer effective Wednesday. Tyler Hansbrough, starting in place of the injured David West, had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Jeff Pendergraph scored 10 rebounds and grabbed seven rebounds.
Center Byron Mullens scored a team-high 19 points for Charlotte.
The Pacers needed to face a team like the Bobcats because they had dropped their past two home games -- both in overtime -- after running off 15 in a row at home.
Indiana heads into the All-Star break sitting on top of the Central Division and as the third seed in the Eastern Conference. They come out of the break facing the New York Knicks, who are currently the second seed, on Feb. 20.
The Pacers broke the game open in the fourth quarter. They turned a 10-point lead at the end of the third quarter into a cushion as big as 24 points in the final quarter.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel was able to empty his bench in the in the final minutes.
Indiana had 11 different players score.
NOTES: Pacers small forward Danny Granger's season debut has been delayed. He didn't do anything to his left knee, which has kept him out all season. The flu bug struck Granger, causing him to miss Wednesday's game against the Charlotte Bobcats. Barring any setbacks with the rehab with his left knee, Granger will play his first game of the season against the New York Knicks on Feb. 20. Vogel recently said Granger will start off the bench when he first returns, then work his way back into the starting lineup. ... West missed his first game as a Pacer against the Bobcats because of a scratched left eye. West suffered the injury when Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez inadvertently scratched him in the eye in the first quarter of Monday's game. ... Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap said big man Mullens could dominate on a game-to-game basis, but it'll take commitment. Mullens had 25 points and 18 rebounds against Boston on Monday. "I think he's a double-double guy, but that takes some grit," Dunlap said.
