Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Keys to the Game

3. Indy Defense Stuns the Elite—Again

If this game proved anything, it is that the Indiana Pacers can defend and dominate any opponent.

Entering the game, the Houston Rockets ranked second in the NBA in scoring offense at 105.4 points per game. Against the Pacers, Houston managed to score just 95 points.

Just the second time since December 29, 2012 that Houston has been held under 100 points.

As for Indiana, this is a growing trend. They've held the Miami Heat and new York Knicks below 80 points during the month of January.

Just another day as the NBA's top ranked scoring defense.

2. All About Harden

If the Houston Rockets plans on winning games, they better find a way to overcome poor performances by James Harden. As it preesntly stands, they are performing at a disturbingly low level when he struggles.

Tonight was no different.

Harden finished with 17 points, seven assists, five rebounds, four blocks and a steal. He also shot just 5-of-19 from the floor and committed five turnovers.

Even superb outings from Omer Asik and Carlos Delfino couldn't overcome that.

If the Rockets are to succeed in future outings, they'll need to create a system in which Harden's struggles can be compensated for. The most likely way they'll be able to achieve such is by trusting Jeremy Lin with the ball.

Lin didn't play very well, either, but he certainly outperformed his backcourt counterpart. Discovering balance will lead to W's.

Should Houston avoid that need, however, the results will continue to disappoint.

1. The West-George Connection

Paul George will garner the headlines for his 31 point performance and rightfully so. After all, he did drain seven three-point field goals.

The fact of the matter is, George scored 18 of those 31 points in the first quarter. He had some major help in the form of David West.

Some major help.

West finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and a steal. Between he and George, the Pacers appear to have found the cure to their offensive woes.

If not, this evening was one heck of a treat for Pacers fans.

via NBA.com.

Indiana Pacers box score via NBA.com.

via NBA.com

Houston Rockets box score via NBA.com.

The Indiana Pacers controlled this one from start to finish.

Paul George led all scorers with 31 points. The star of the second half was David West, who finished 20 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks.

Roy Hibbert tacked on 12 points, 9 rebounds and four blocks of his own.

As for the Houston Rockets, it just wasn't there for them.

Indiana's defense smothered them for 48 minutes, thus holding Houston to 41.0 percent shooting from the floor. James Harden finished with 17 points, but he also shot just 5-of-19 from the floor.

Carlos Delfino's fourth quarter heroics simply weren't enough in the end. Indiana secured this victory with a brilliant two-way performance.

This team is legitimate, folks.

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Roy Hibbert with the 18-foot jump shot and that's all she wrote, folks.

Houston has pulled their starters.

Well, Matt Miller was too quick on this one.

Carlos Delfino has scored 10 consecutive points and the Houston Rockets are just nine points down with the ball in their hands.

Harden goes to the line. Hits both.

Well, that's a little harsh.

Pacers lead 100-89 w/ 2:25 left. All that's left to be decided is which degenerates win their bets...Carlos Delfino has 10 pts in this qtr.

— Matt Miller (@MattMiller713) January 19, 2013

Paul George has seven threes.

Behind Carlos Delfino and Omer Asik, the Houston Rockets have shown signs of life.

Unfortunately, turnovers will end any form of momentum. David West scores yet again.

Indiana Pacers 98, Houston Rockets 86 — 3:35 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

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D.J. Augustin again. Nice second half performance here and this one is on the brink of a blowout.

Indiana Pacers 93, Houston Rockets 79 — 6:30 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

Surprisingly, D.J. Augustin has played well tonight in limited opportunities. If this sparks a turn around on his behalf, the Pacers will be all the more dangerous.

Smooth jump shot from just inside the arc.

Indiana Pacers 91, Houston Rockets 77 — 7:06 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

The Indiana Pacers are picking up where they left off, with Paul George, Jeff Pendergraph and Tyler Hansbrough all scoring quick.

Maintaining a double-digit edge over Houston.

Indiana Pacers 89, Houston Rockets 77 — 8:23 remaining in the Fourth Quarter

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Houston Rockets

Omer Asik: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal
Patrick Beverly: 5 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block
James Harden: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 5/16 FG
Jeremy Lin: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Chandler Parsons: 14 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 block

Indiana Pacers

Paul George: 26 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 6/9 3PT
Roy Hibbert: 10 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 blocks, 1 steal
George Hill: 1 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals
Lance Stephenson: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
David West: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal

Paul George dominated the first quarter, but it has been all David West since then.

West finishes with nine points during the third quarter alone. He's now at 18 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.

What a performance.

As for Houston, they just can't get their offense going against this Pacers D. No matter what they try, nothing seems to work.

In other words, the Rockets are having the same troubles as every other team that plays Indiana.

Indiana Pacers 83, Houston Rockets 69 — End of the Third Quarter

Paul George with another three-point field goal! That is his sixth of the evening and gives P.G. 26 points!

You know things are going well for the Indiana Pacers when D.J. Augustin gets a jump shot to fall.

Indiana Pacers 83, Houston Rockets 67 — 57.9 seconds remaining in the Third Quarter

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David West has taken over this one.

West now has eight points in the third quarter and 17 overall. he also has eight rebounds and two blocks.

Houston can't get anything going against this vaunted Pacers defense. West is carrying the Indy offense to an excellent output.

Indiana Pacers 77, Houston Rockets 65 — 2:45 remaining in the Third Quarter

Roy Hibbert is in the right place at the right time and the Indiana Pacers continue to dominate during the third quarter.

Yet another turnover from the Houston Rockets. That's 12 already.

Indiana Pacers 73, Houston Rockets 61 — 4:29 remaining in the Third Quarter

Roy Hibbert tips it in on one and and Paul George comes up with the steal on the other. Makes a beautiful pass in transition to Lance Stephenson for two.

P.G. hasn't scored much since his monster first, but he's playing excellent basketball.

Can't say the same for James Harden.

Indiana Pacers 71, Houston Rockets 61 — 5:28 remaining in the Third Quarter

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David West with another tough shot and he is turning it on in the third quarter. This man has been playing very well lately.

Indiana Pacers 67, Houston Rockets 61 — 6:00 remaining in the Third Quarter

Patrick Patterson passes up a wide-open three and the Rockets end up turning it over after moving the ball too much.

Indiana Pacers 65, Houston Rockets 61 — 6:35 remaining in the Third Quarter

Omer Asik drops in two but Lance Stephenson responds with a beautiful jump shot to put the Pacers up five.

David West drops in another two but Jeremy Lin responds with a three.

Ian Mahinmi is doubtful to return tonight.

Houston has wasted no time during the second half, scoring four quick points to get right back into this one. David West responds with a two of his own.

Indiana back up by five.

There haven't been many reasons to smile for James Harden, thus far.
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Houston Rockets

Omer Asik: 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal
Patrick Beverly: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block
James Harden: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 4/13 FG
Jeremy Lin: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Chandler Parsons: 12 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 block

Indiana Pacers

Paul George: 23 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 5/7 3PT
Roy Hibbert: 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks
George Hill: 8 points, 3 assists, 3 steals
Lance Stephenson: 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
David West: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Paul George leads this one with 23 first half points. James Harden has 11 on 4-of-13 shooting.

The story of this game has been the three-ball, as the Pacers have hit nine first half three-pointers. By the same measure, Houston has fought back into this one with eight of their own.

At the end of the day, this is George's show. If he keeps this up, Indiana has it in the bag.

Can Harden respond in the second?

Indiana Pacers 59, Houston Rockets 52 — Halftime

James Harden with another jump shot but David West minimizes that contribution with a free throw.

Paul George hits his fifth three-pointer of the half and picks up his 23rd points.

Indiana Pacers 59, Houston Rockets 52 — 0:43 remaining in the Second Quarter

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George Hill with another three-pointer! That's eight in the first half for the Indiana Pacers.

James Harden responds with a three of his own.

Indiana Pacers 55, Houston Rockets 50 — 2:00 remaining in the Second Quarter