Pacers-Bobcats Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON
Posted Jan 15 2013 12:42AM

The Indiana Pacers overcame a slow start and the absence of leading scorer Paul George to get past the Charlotte Bobcats over the weekend.

With George having returned, the Pacers are hoping another matchup against the lowly Bobcats will help them end a three-game road losing streak Tuesday night.

Indiana (23-15) earned its 10th straight home win Saturday, 96-88 over Charlotte, but missed its first 10 shots in that game and had to overcome the loss of George to an illness.

David West helped make up for his absence by recording his first career triple-double: 14 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

The Pacers, though, once again couldn't keep their momentum going after sweeping a four-game homestand and fell 97-86 at Brooklyn the next day. Indiana led by six after three quarters but was outscored 28-11 in the final period.

The Pacers had won seven of 10 away from home before their current road skid.

"We stopped executing and we lost our composure," said West, who had a team-best 27 points. "We let them get going early and once they got the ball rolling, the game slipped out of our reach. We had opportunities, we just lost our composure and did not get it done down the stretch."

George, averaging career highs of 16.9 points and 7.6 rebounds, recorded a personal-best third straight double (15 points, 12 boards) in his return. He's registering 22.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per contest during that stretch.

"It was a little tough getting around. My legs took some time but overall, I felt good. I should be OK and the team suggests that I stay on medication," George said.

George had 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists during a visit to Charlotte on Nov. 2 but he was also one of only two starters to score in double figures in a 90-89 loss. The Pacers didn't score over the final two minutes as their nine-game win streak in the series was snapped.

That season-opening victory was part of a 7-5 start for Charlotte, but the Bobcats have only two wins over their last 25 games. They've also dropped 12 in a row at home since a 98-97 win over Toronto on Nov. 21, and are two shy of matching their franchise-worst 14-game skid to end last season.

Charlotte (9-28) lost its fourth in a row overall Monday, 100-89 in Boston. The Bobcats rallied from an 18-point deficit to tie that game in the third quarter but fell behind for good after allowing the Celtics to score seven consecutive points.

"You can't lay down. Nobody's going to feel sorry for you," coach Mike Dunlap said. "You have to come every night and compete and hope for the best."

Leading scorer Kemba Walker endured one of his worst shooting performances of the season, going 4 for 16 and finishing with 12 points. Walker, averaging 17.4 points, scored 30 against the Pacers in November.

Indiana's Lance Stephenson is averaging 16.0 points in the two matchups with Charlotte, his highest against any opponent. He left Sunday's game with a foot injury, however, and his status is uncertain.

In Saturday's meeting, former Bobcats guard D.J. Augustin matched a season high with 18 points and George Hill had a team-best 19.

Ben Gordon led Charlotte with 21 points after averaging 8.3 in his previous six matchups.

Pacers dominate Bobcats inside, win 103-76

By STEVE REED
Posted Jan 15 2013 10:39PM

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Roy Hibbert won a basketball game Tuesday night but lost $500.

In the waning minutes of a blowout victory, Hibbert told the final five Indiana Pacers left on the floor he'd pay them $100 each if they kept the Charlotte Bobcats from scoring 80 points.

Pay up, Roy.

"Yeah, I'm a man of my word," Hibbert said. "A Hibbert always pays his debts. ... I guess I have to go find an ATM."

He'll gladly do so.

Hibbert had 18 points and seven rebounds, and the Pacers handed the struggling Bobcats their 13th straight defeat at home, 103-76. With team owner Michael Jordan looking on from the bench, the Bobcats lost their fifth in a row and have dropped 24 of 26 since Thanksgiving.

The Pacers bounced back from Sunday's 11-point defeat in Brooklyn and won for the fifth time in six games.

Indiana won this one going away behind some dominant inside play. The Pacers outrebounded the Bobcats 60-31 and outscored them 52-22 in the paint, once again exposing Charlotte's problems down low. The 29-point rebound differential was the largest in Bobcats history.

All five Pacers starters had at least seven rebounds.

Paul George had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while David West added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Pacers. George Hill chipped in with 16 points and seven rebounds.

"Even the guards get in there and mix it up for us," Hibbert said. "They do a good job of getting in there and hitting the boards. More possessions for ourselves is good."

It was the eighth time the Pacers have held an opponent to fewer than 80 points.

"Our defense is a beast," coach Frank Vogel said. "We're leading in a number of different defensive categories. We have great length and these guys are committed to trying to be the best defense in the NBA."

Vogel called the offense a work in progress.

"It can get clicking and we can get really hot at times and when it does, like tonight, look at what happened," he said. "We are trying to commit to the running game more. We got 19 fast-break points in the first half. Big difference in the game. We're playing good basketball."

The Central Division-leading Pacers (24-15) have not lost consecutive games since early December.

The Pacers led by 10 at halftime and broke it open in the third quarter as George scored eight quick points to set the tone.

By the time the fourth quarter arrived, the Pacers had extended their lead to 26 and the Bobcats appeared completely demoralized knowing they simply had no answers for Indiana's frontcourt.

By the midway point of the third the Pacers had taken complete control of the boards, outrebounding the Bobcats 47-20. Things were so bad for the Bobcats they only took 16 shots in the entire third quarter and made just seven.

Gerald Henderson led the Bobcats with 15 points, while Kemba Walker and Ramon Sessions each had 13.

As has often been the case this season, the Bobcats got off to a slow start, falling behind 20-9 early.

The Pacers, led by Hibbert and West, dominated the paint from the outset, outscoring the Bobcats 18-2 in the first quarter.

With Byron Mullens still out with a lingering ankle injury, the Bobcats started Bismack Biyombo at center and Hakim Warrick at power forward. They combined for just seven rebounds in 37 minutes of action.

"I don't remember us having a game like that where we got outrebounded that bad," Bobcats guard Ben Gordon said. "I think there are a lot of times where we put teams on their heels when we have those guards out there. We just need to continue to use that to our strength, but tonight I just think it was more of a lack of energy, lack of effort type of thing."

After the game, coach Mike Dunlap refused to say if the Bobcats need to add some big men next offseason, saying "I prefer to stay in my lane" and allow the personnel decision-makers to make that call.

As for Jordan, he made a quick exit early in the fourth after the Pacers pushed the lead to 30.

Playing their fourth game in five nights, the Bobcats shot just 34 percent from the field and played without much emotion or enthusiasm.

The Pacers seemed to take advantage of that lack of energy early and the game en route to starting another winning streak.

"We take pride in bouncing back from a loss and not losing two in a row," said Indiana's Tyler Hansbrough.

NOTES: North Carolina coach Roy Williams had courtside seats to watch Hansbrough. ... Walker left in the second quarter after tweaking his ankle but returned in the third. ... The Bobcats have failed to score more than 90 points in each of their last four games. ... George has a double-double in each of his last four games.

Notebook: Pacers 103, Bobcats 76

Derek S. Smith, for NBA.com
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:06 PM - Updated Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:06 PM

THE FACTS: Roy Hibbert scored 18 points and David West added 15 as the Indiana Pacers blew out the Charlotte Bobcats 103-76 Tuesday night at Time Warner Cable Arena. Gerald Henderson scored 15 for the Bobcats who have now lost 13 straight games at home.

QUOTABLE: "We were aggressive out there. We came out with energy and played really well. I tried to take shots within the rhythm of the game and tried to be a defensive presence out there and block some shots. It was great that (the starters) got to rest tonight and see all the guys out there playing hard."

-- Indiana center Roy Hibbert

THE STAT: The Pacers were dominant both in the paint and on the glass. Indiana scored 52 points in the paint on 26-for-45 shooting while the Bobcats only had 22 points there. The Pacers also held a huge 60-31 advantage in rebounding over Charlotte, including 18 offensive rebounds which accounted for 26 second-chance points. The 29-rebound margin was the largest deficit in Bobcats history eclipsing a deficit of 27 against Utah in 2007.

TURNING POINT: The Pacers opened the third quarter on a 10-2 run, which sealed the Bobcats' fate and forced Charlotte coach Mike Dunlap to take an early timeout. Paul George opened the second half with back-to-back 26-foot jumpers and closed the run with a putback at the rim. The Pacers led by 18 after the run and never led by fewer than 16 the rest of the way. The Pacers outscored Charlotte 33-17 in the third.

HOT: Hibbert had his way with the Bobcats on Tuesday. The Pacers center was 5-for-11 from the floor and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line while scoring a game-best 18 points. He added seven rebounds, blocked four shots and dished out an assist. Hibbert scored in double figures for the first time since Jan. 5.

NOT: Bobcats starting frontcourt. The trio of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Hakim Warrick and Bismack Biyombo scored just 13 points on a combined 5-for-15 shooting. They also only managed 12 rebounds. In comparison, the Pacers starting frontcourt accounted for 49 points and 25 rebounds.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Paul George is on a streak of late for the Pacers. George, the Pacers' leading scorer, is averaging 21.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.5 steals including four straight double-doubles.

INSIDE THE ARENA: Roy Williams, head coach at the University of North Carolina, was seated courtside to watch former Tar Heel Tyler Hansbrough. ESPN analyst and former head coach Fran Fraschilla was also in attendance at Time Warner Cable Arena. Charlotte forward Byron Mullens sat in for analysis with Scott Lauer on the Charlotte Bobcats radio network for the second consecutive home game. Charlotte owner and NBA legend Michael Jordan also sat courtside for the first time this season.

ROOKIE WATCH: Kidd-Gilchrist was held to just four points and five rebounds against Indiana while fellow rookie Jeffery Taylor came off the bench and added five points and two rebounds. For Indiana, Ben Hansbrough saw limited action, but scored three points while Orlando Johnson scored two points and grabbed a career-best five rebounds. Miles Plumlee was inactive for the Pacers.

NOTABLE: Bobcats guard Kemba Walker left the game in the second quarter after stepping on the foot of Ian Mahinmi, but did return to start the second half. ... Ben Gordon had his streak of nine straight double-figure scoring games snapped. ... Biyombo has recorded at least two blocks in each of the last five games. ... Kemba Walker has scored in double figures in 35 of 38 games this year. Gerald Henderson has scored in double figures in four of the last five games. David West scored in double figures for the 36th time this season. ... The Pacers, who lead the league in points allowed, have now held 22 opponents below 90 points on the season and have held eight opponents under 80 points. Charlotte was also the 18th opponent held below 40 percent shooting.

UP NEXT: For the Pacers, Wednesday @ Orlando, Friday vs. Houston, Monday @ Memphis. For the Bobcats, Friday @ Orlando, Saturday vs. Sacramento, Monday vs. Houston.

• Pacers: Granger, Plumlee
• Bobcats: Mullens

• Pacers: George
• Bobcats: --

• Lead Changes: 1
• Times Tied: 1

• Arena: Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC
• Officials: #10 Ron Garretson, #18 Matt Boland, #30 John Goble
• Attendance: 12996
• Duration: 2:12