George helps Pacers outlast Heat
INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul George scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to power the Indiana Pacers to a 102-98 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday night.
With the Pacers leading 93-85, the Heat went on a 9-0 run to take the lead. Wayne Ellington's 3-pointer put Miami ahead 94-93 with 4:10 to go. George hit a jumper to put the Pacers back in front.
After the Heat's Dion Waiters scored, Jeff Teague put the Pacers back on top for good with a running jumper.
Myles Turner hit two free throws with 1:38 left to push the lead to 99-96. After a Miami miss, Turner scored on a dunk to make it 101-96.
Turner chipped in with 15 points and eight rebounds for the Pacers (34-32).
The Miami Heat (32-35) played without leading scorer Goran Dragic (20.1 points), who was sidelined with an orbital contusion in his right eye.
Dragic took an elbow to his right eye during the victory at Toronto on Saturday night. He originally expected to play, but his right eye swelled to the point it was completely shut.
C.J. Miles sank a 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left in the second quarter to give the Pacers a 60-53 halftime lead. Indiana increased its lead slightly to 83-75 after three quarters.
Hassan Whiteside led the Heat with 26 points and 21 rebounds. Waiters added 20 points and Ellington 19 for Miami.
The Pacers hit 22 of 44 shots from the field in the first half. The Heat were 20 of 48 from the floor in the first half.
Indiana also shot 50 percent (13 of 26) in the first quarter to lead 32-22 after 12 minutes.
The Pacers' largest lead in the game was 12 points and the Heat's largest advantage was four.
NOTES: Miami had won the first two games with Indiana this season, both at Miami. The Pacers have won 10 straight home games over the Heat. ... After starting the season 11-30, the Heat are 21-5 in the second half. ... Miami C Hassan Whiteside ran his string of at least one blocked shot in a game to 23. ... The Pacers, who are in their 50th season, honored players from the decade of 2000s. Among the attendees were Jermaine O'Neal, Al Harrington, Jeff Foster and Derrick McKey. Danny Granger, who couldn't make it because of a broadcasting commitment, delivered a video message to the fans.