Pacers 114, Nets 100
NEW YORK -- Reserve guard C.J. Miles scored 15 of his 27 points in the second quarter, and the Indiana Pacers built a big lead before halftime before recording a 114-100 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
Miles scored at least 20 points for the ninth time this season, but it was his first 20-point showing since Dec. 23 at Sacramento. He made 10 of 15 shots from the floor, including four of seven 3-point attempts after going 4-for-39 from behind the arc in his previous 10 games.
Miles also helped the Pacers shoot 50 percent (12-of-24) from 3-point range. The Pacers hit double-digit 3-pointers for the second time in their last 16 games, and it was their second-best perimeter showing of the season.
Forward Paul George added 17 while point guard George Hill contributed 13 for Indiana (26-23). The Pacers led for the final 39-plus minutes, shot 50 percent overall and won for the fourth time in 11 games.
Center Brook Lopez scored 18 of his 21 points before halftime but missed five free throws as the Nets (12-38) lost their fifth straight and 17th in the past 19 home games. Forward Joe Johnson helped a slight comeback in the third when he scored 11 of his 20 points, but the Nets missed their first eight shots of the decisive second quarter.
Brooklyn forward Thaddeus Young recorded 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
The game turned early in the second quarter after each team made runs in the opening 12 minutes. Holding a three-point lead, the Pacers scored the first 10 points as Miles contributed a dunk in the run.
Miles knocked down three 3-pointers, a 17-foot pullup jumper and converted a finger roll layup in the final minute as Indiana went up 62-42.
The Nets chipped away midway through the quarter, getting within 74-62 on consecutive 3-pointers by Johnson. The Pacers let the lead slip to seven on two occasions before taking an 87-77 lead into the fourth.
Miles then helped the Pacers finish it off with a layup and a corner 3-pointer as the Pacers upped the lead to 101-86 with 7:45 remaining.
NOTES: Rookie F Chris McCullough is close to making his debut for Brooklyn after spending the past year rehabbing a right knee injury. McCullough has been practicing and getting daily coaching while getting up to speed on defensive schemes. Interim coach Tony Brown said McCullough definitely will be available after the All-Star break and possibly before. ... A portion of the Pacers' Tuesday practice focused on better execution during late-game situations. According to a story in the Indianapolis Star, the Pacers are 0-for-13 with a turnover in the 14 times they had ball in the final four seconds in regulation or overtime and a chance to tie or get a lead. ... Indiana C Ian Mahinmi (sore lower back) missed his third consecutive game and sat out for the fourth time in the past six games.