Game Rewind: Pacers 98, Hornets 77

After their worst offensive performance of the season on Tuesday night, a 42-point first half against the Hornets made it feel like the Pacers' offense was stuck in neutral.

Out of the halftime locker room, however, the Pacers switched into overdrive, outscoring the Hornets 33-16 to take a commanding 17-point lead into the fourth quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, where they went on to win 98-77 on Wednesday night.

The defining third quarter was highlighted by the play of Paul George, who poured in 12 points during the explosive quarter, en route to a season-high 39 from PG, who has now surpassed 20 points in seven of his last eight games.

"Things came easy because of the offensive flow," George said. "Also, playing this team for the fourth time, I knew how they were going to guard me and I tried to take advantage. But, it all came within the flow of the offense."

After entering the locker rooms at halftime tied at 42 with the visiting Hornets, the Pacers erupted on a 23-5 run, sending their advantage to 19 points. Even a Charlotte timeout did little to slow the Pacers, who finished the night making 12-of-28 3-point shots and outrebounding the Hornets 42-30.

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In the fourth quarter, with the Pacers' bench in the game, the Hornets fought enough to bring Indiana's starters back in as free throws from Charlotte guard Jeremy Lamb brought the lead down to just 10 points with 8:23 remaining in the contest.

Seeking to protect the lead, George went on a one-man mission, scoring nine unanswered points, the last of which came on a four-point play. And, to show it wasn't just him getting it done, PG lasered a pass to Monta Ellis — one of his three dimes — in the corner who buried a 3-pointer to cap Indiana's game-sealing 12-0 run with 6:12 remaining.

From there, Indiana cruised to the victory, finishing off the game that was once tied at halftime by outscoring the Hornets 56-32 over the final two quarters of play.

"We know we gave one away and they responded by playing hard coming off a back-to-back and I think we were locked in every possession on what we needed to do," said Pacers head coach Nate McMillan. "Last night we didn't move the ball. It was a lot of dribble up, shot, or one pass, shot. Tonight we saw the execution and ball movement."

In the first half, the outcome was more uncertain as the teams traded leads throughout. Despite an early Pacers edge, the Hornets were able to battle back thanks to Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky III, who each chipped in seven first-half points.

With under a minute remaining in the opening half, Zeller connected on an and-1 bucket, tying things up at 42 as the teams went into their locker rooms.

When the whistle blew to open the third, however, a different Pacers offense emerged, led by the lights-out shooting of George, whose six made 3-pointers led the way for the Pacers in the much-needed win over an Eastern Conference opponent chasing the postseason.

"We played defense and got out and ran," said Jeff Teague, who nearly notched a triple-double with 11 assists, eight points, and eight rebounds. "When we get out and run, we're an explosive team. PG heated up and started making everything and a lot of Pacers were playing together on both ends."

George's season-high 39 points came on a 15-21 shooting, including going 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.

Only one other Pacers player, Monta Ellis (16 points), finished the night with double figure scoring.

After going three consecutive games with under 20 assists, the Pacers racked up 26 dimes on Wednesday night.

Indiana held Hornets guard Kemba Walker to a season-low seven points on 3-of-11 shooting.

"We set some good screens, Myles (Turner) and those guys, and he was coming off and then making shots; but he was still playing unselfish. He gave all of us opportunities to get to the basket and score because he opened up the floor. I think we played well as a unit tonight and got the team win." -Jeff Teague

"We know we can do it. There are times we lose focus out there. I thought they responded tonight. They were all business from start to finish. We know we gave one away and they responded by playing hard, coming off a back to back and I think we were locked in every possession on what we needed to do. Last night we didn't move the ball. It was a lot of dribble up, shot, or one pass, shot. Tonight we saw the execution and ball movement." -Pacers head coach Nate McMillan

"You could see it right from the beginning of the game. He had that look in his eye. He's a really good catch and shoot player, playing off screens. We worked on it a lot this morning but he got to his spots easily and he made us pay. Once he got into a rhythm, it's hard to stop him." -Hornets head coach Steve Clifford on Paul George

Paul George's 39 points were the most scored by a Pacers player since George hit 45 during a March 19, 2016, meeting with the Thunder last season. The last Pacers player not named Paul George to surpass 39 points was Danny Granger, who scored 44 in March of 2010.

After three days of rest, the Pacers head north of the border to take on DeMar DeRozan and the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, March 19.