Indianapolis, IN – Roy Hibbert poured in 20 points to go with 15 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Indiana Pacers cruised past the Milwaukee Bucks, 95-80, on Saturday.
George Hill added 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Lance Stephenson and David West scored 10 points apiece for the Pacers, who improved to 12-3 at home this season.
"We knew this was going to be a must-win situation for us," said West. "We're fighting to stay even with these guys in the season series and stay ahead of them in the standings."
Monta Ellis scored a game-high 21 points and Brandon Jennings added 12 points and five assists for the Bucks, who have dropped four straight.
"We've got some issues, especially the last four losses in a row," said Bucks coach Scott Skiles. "We couldn't make key stops at crucial times and our rebounding was a little suspect."
The game was tied, 21-21, after the first 12 minutes, but Indiana was able to take a 45-40 lead with just over four minute remaining in the first half. Ellis, though, scored the next five points to knot it at 45-45 just over a minute later.
Gerald Green's triple sparked a 7-2 push for the Pacers, who led 52-47 at the break.
The Bucks took a 53-52 lead early in the third, but an 8-0 run put Indiana ahead 60-53 a bit later. Hill's reverse layup near the midway point of the frame sparked a 15-7 surge to put Indiana up 77-64 entering the final period.
The lead grew as large as 20 in the fourth to give the Pacers their 10th win in their last 13 tries.
Game Notes
Indiana outscored Milwaukee, 64-26, in the paint ... Hibbert posted a career- high with 11 offensive rebounds ... Larry Sanders had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks.
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