Game Preview: Pacers at Trail Blazers

Is there anything Paul George can't do?

On Wednesday night against the Clippers, PG scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. It was the fourth straight game George had scored 30 or more points in a game, the longest such streak of his entire career.

Thanks in large part to George's stellar play, the Pacers have continued to ascend up the ranks of the Eastern Conference, currently sitting just a half game back from LeBron James and the Cavs.

During their torrid stretch of play, the Pacers have won six straight and 12 of their last 14.

For game three of the Blue & Gold's west coast road trip, Indiana sets its sights on the Portland Trail Blazers, a team it was defeated by in both of their meetings last season. But also a team whose nucleus was shaken up over the offseason.

Gone is the incredible scoring prowess of LaMarcus Aldrige, who brought his talents to San Antonio during free agency. Aldridge's departure cleared the way for Damian Lillard, a 3-point shooting menace at the point guard spot, to become the team's marquee player. Flanking Lillard is C.J. McCollum. The two speedy ball-handlers have become one of the league's most potent offensive combinations under head coach Terry Stotts.

However, despite the offensive production of Lillard and McCollum, the Blazers have struggled of late, dropping three of their last four games, including two at home.

George Hill

Monta Ellis

C.J. Miles

Paul George

Ian Mahinmi

Damian Lillard

C.J. McCollum

Al-Farouq Aminu

Noah Vonleh

Mason Plumlee

Pacers: PG - George Hill, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - C.J. Miles, PF - Paul George, C - Ian Mahinmi
Clippers: PG - Damian Lillard, SG - C.J. McCollum, SF - Al-Farouq Aminu, PF - Noah Vonleh, C - Mason Plumlee

Pacers: Myles Turner - out (chip fracture, left thumb)

Trail Blazers: Chris Kaman - questionable (right ankle)

December 13, 2014: The Pacers entered the game mired in a slump, having lost the last seven games. In the second quarter, Portland bursted ahead and never looked back, handing the Pacers a 95-85 home loss.

The loss may have been the nadir of the Pacers' season in 2014-15. It was the team's eighth consecutive loss, the first losing streak of that length in five seasons.

C.J. Watson led the way for the Pacers, scoring 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting, and Stuckey added 14 points to go along with a career-high 14 rebounds.

But the second quarter, in which Portland outscored Indiana 36-15, proved to be too deep of a hole to dig from in the early-season loss.

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)