Game Rewind: Pacers 111, Bulls 94

After a 125-107 loss in Milwaukee on Thursday night, Pacers head coach Nate McMillan and the team's veterans talked at length about the team needing to play with more fire, particularly on the defensive end.

They lit a match and it quickly grew into a raging bonfire on Saturday night, as Indiana (3-3) rolled to a 111-94 win over the Chicago Bulls (3-3) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The victory avenged a 17-point loss to the Bulls in Chicago just a week earlier.

Defense had been an issue for the Pacers in the early part of the season, but it was anything but at the start of Saturday's game. Though Indiana allowed the Bulls to shoot over 52 percent in a 118-101 loss a week earlier in Chicago, the Blue & Gold stifled their Central Division rivals in the early stages of Saturday's contest, holding Chicago to 6-of-20 shooting (30 percent) and forcing seven turnovers in the first quarter alone.

"We really focused and emphasized having each others' back defensively and playing hard," All-Star forward Paul George said. "I thought we did both of those tonight."

On the other end, the Pacers got it going quickly offensively. Indiana raced out to an 18-6 lead in the opening minutes and finished the opening period shooting 58.3 percent from the field. George led the charge, connecting on all four of his attempts (including a pair of 3-pointers) as Indiana opened up a 31-15 lead.

The Pacers didn't take their foot off the gas in the second quarter. Monta Ellis ignited the offense, repeatedly setting up teammates for open shots or easy buckets at the rim, and Indiana led by as many as 21 points in the first half.

The offense sputtered for a short stretch after halftime, as the home team managed just six points over the first 6:31 of the third quarter. But the Bulls couldn't mount a serious threat, never managing to cut the deficit any lower than 14 points. Indiana closed the period with a 9-2 run, stretching the lead back to 24.

The only question in the fourth quarter was how much the Pacers would win by. C.J. Miles did his part to maintain the cushion, knocking down three 3-pointers in the early minutes of the frame. Jeff Teague added five points in the period and the Pacers' reserves brought the win home as Indiana improved to 3-0 so far this season at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Teague — who entered the night shooting under 25 percent from the field through his first five games — led all scorers with a season-high 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting. The former Pike High School star also dished out six assists in the victory.

"It was about time I made a shot," Teague joked after the win. "It was good. My teammates gave me an opportunity and got me open. I made some shots, but it was all about our defense and getting back in transition and playing together."

Miles added 20 points off the bench, going 4-for-7 from 3-point range.

George finished with 16 points and four rebounds, but was ejected with 1:42 left in the third quarter, when he lightly kicked the ball after the whistle, inadvertently hitting the face of a fan sitting in the stands. George quickly apologized to the fan and did so again after the game.

Ellis took just two shots, but still had a major impact on the game. The veteran guard dished out eight assists (seven in the first half), grabbed seven rebounds, and harassed Bulls guard Dwyane Wade on the other end, holding the perennial All-Star to just four points on 1-of-9 shooting.

"He's just taking what the defense gives him," Miles said of Ellis' playmaking. "We all know what an accomplished scorer he is...I think he's just taking advantage of what the defense is doing and trusting his teammates."

Jimmy Butler led Chicago with 16 points, but also committed six turnovers in the loss. Second-year forward Bobby Portis added 16 points off the bench on 7-of-9 shooting.

The Pacers shot a season-best 53.5 percent from the field in the victory. They also buried a season-high 12 3-pointers on 26 attempts, a 46.2 percent clip.

Myles Turner had 16 points, four rebounds, and four blocks on the night, the fifth time in six games so far this season that he's had multiple rejections.

Thaddeus Young added 12 points and five rebounds, while Aaron Brooks chipped in 10 points off the bench on 4-of-7 shooting. It was Brooks' first double-digit outing in his admittedly brief Pacers career (Saturday was his third game with Indiana).

The Pacers set a new season low with 12 turnovers on the evening. Conversely, they forced Chicago into 18 giveaways and scored 24 points off the Bulls' miscues.

Surprisingly, Indiana had just two fastbreak points in the win. The Pacers did, however, score 44 points in the paint.

"I thought tonight we came out and were together. Collectively, defensively, we were solid from start to finish. We were really efficient with our offensive execution. It was a solid effort at both ends." -McMillan

"He had a huge impact on this game. There are going to be nights where guys aren't going to get touches, so you've got to play the right way. We know he's going to compete every night, every single minute of every game." -McMillan on Ellis

"I thought everybody was aggressive, which really opened the floor for Jeff. We got stops which allowed him to be special in the fastbreak game and that's where he was explosive tonight. We have to continue that style because he’s our point guard. When we’re playing that style, it really helps him." -George on Teague

"You could just see the passion. Guys wanted to stop people from shooting and that's what we needed." -Teague on the team's defensive effort

"Teams are starting fast against us. We have to do a better job of communicating and paying attention to detail. We are not moving the ball early on and that is hurting us." -Wade

The Pacers held the Bulls to 94 points on 43 percent shooting, both season lows. It was the first time all season that Indiana held its opponent under 100 points.

The Pacers will travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets on Monday, Nov. 7. They return home on Wednesday, Nov. 9 to host the Philadelphia 76ers. Good seats still remain for that matchup. Find Tickets »

Select Pacers Short Sleeve T-Shirt - $12. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.