Pacers Hope Tonight's Win Is a Sign of Things To Come in 2011
Perhaps the collective moans and groans were finally loud enough for Jim O'Brien to hear. They wanted Paul George, they got some Paul George, which wasn't good for the Wizards.
George has only played in ten games this season, but tonight was his best effort. He sparked the Pacers when they needed it the most, finishing with a season-high 13 points, seven rebounds, and five steals. The Pacers got a 95-86 win on their home court on New Year's Eve to end their three game losing streak.
Danny Granger and Darren Collison each finished with 18 points, and Hibbert was right behind them with 17. Tonight though, was all about Paul George establishing himself.
George was a little surprised after the game, but he was confident in his abilities, and knew he had the support of everyone around him. "I didn't have any idea that my number would be called that early in the game." said George. "When I got in the game, my teammates helped me, urged me and got me going."
Despite turning the ball over 23 times, the Pacers were able to out-hustle and out-rebound the Wizards on their way to victory. The bench played solid tonight, and the defensive presence of Paul George really gave them the momentum when they needed it.
Danny Granger seemed to settle down this game, after throwing up bricks left and right the past few games. He was eight for 12 from the floor, and just took one three-pointer on the night.
Before we get too excited about this win, we need to remember that the Wizards are 0-16 on the road this season, and have only won three of their last 18 games. One of those wins came against the Pacers just two days prior to tonight's game.
The Pacers will now head to New York to face a very good Knicks squad, who will be eager to take out their frustrations from this past week. They have lost five or their last seven games, but have had one of the toughest schedules stretches this year. They faced the Celtics, Magic, Bulls, Thunder, and the Heat twice.
Obviously the spotlight will be on New York tonight, as all of America will be watching the ball drop in the Big Apple. In just four hours from now, New York will be counting down the seconds, and the city will be more packed than ever. The Pacers will play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden one day after that, a Sunday game scheduled to tip at 1pm.
Despite that rough past two weeks for the Pacers, they still sit in second place within the division, seven games back of the Bulls. Not a bad place to start the new year, but they will have to improve in many areas if they want 2011 to be a good year.
