Indianapolis, IN – Behind Paul George's nine 3-pointers and Roy Hibbert's first career triple-double, the Indiana Pacers outlasted the New Orleans Hornets in overtime, 115-107, on Wednesday.
George was instrumental in the Pacers' fourth quarter comeback, connecting on three 3-pointers in the final minutes of regulation. He poured in 33 of his career-high 37 points in the second half and overtime.
"After a couple of them dropped, from that point on I just felt like I was in the zone," said George. "I was comfortable, I was playing within my team, my teammates were finding me. I wouldn't say it was easy, but I was just in a flow from that point on."
Hibbert, who finished with a career-high and franchise record 11 blocks, hauled in 11 rebounds and scored 10 points in registering his first triple- double before fouling out in OT for the Pacers, who have won three of their last four.
"I just wanted to make sure I stayed aggressive," said Hibbert. "I was trying to protect the paint as much as possible."
George Hill and David West each chipped in 16 points in the victory.
The Hornets, who led most of the first half and the fourth quarter, seemed to run out of gas by overtime in losing their fifth straight contest.
"We competed tonight. We didn't get a bounce, the rebounds were finding their way out of our hands," said Hornets coach Monty Williams. "Paul George had his way shooting threes down the stretch, but I'm proud because I think this is a process that our young guys have to go through.
Anthony Davis sat for a second straight game with an ankle injury, but in his absence, Robin Lopez finished with a double-double, scoring a season-high 21 points and pulling down 13 boards. Jason Smith added 18 points off the bench and Ryan Anderson contributed 17 for the Hornets.
The Hornets held a 90-83 edge with 4:13 remaining in the fourth before the Pacers went on a 14-3 run, which included four threes, to take a 97-93 lead.
However, Al-Farouq Aminu, who also had a double-double for the Hornets, buried a rainbow jumper to tie the game at 97 with 22.3 seconds left. Indiana got an opportunity to win the game, but missed four shots on the final possession.
The Pacers came out hot in the extra period, scoring the first 10 points to take a 107-97 lead. The Hornets cut the deficit to four, the last time with 26.2 seconds left, but were forced to foul Tyler Hansbrough twice and he made all four free throws to seal the win.
The Hornets shot 50 percent in the first and led throughout the opening period, holding a 29-21 lead going into the second quarter.
Hibbert, who had five blocks in the first half, scored on a hook shot to give Indiana its first lead of the game at 35-34, but Smith knocked down three straight shots for Hornets late in the quarter, keeping them ahead through the half, 47-43.
Indiana came out strong in the third, especially George. He nailed 4-of-6 from 3-point range, scoring 14 in the period to help the Pacers take a 75-74 advantage into the fourth.
Aminu's baseline rainbow jumper tied the game at 97. However, West, Hibbert, Hill and Lance Stephenson all missed shots on the last possession for the Pacers.
Game Notes
The Pacers improved to 4-1 at home this season and are now 39-16 in their last 55 regular season games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse ... Aminu finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds ... The Hornets will continue their four-game road trip against the Phoenix Suns on Friday ... Indiana will host the Spurs Friday before heading out on four-game road trip.
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