Paul George carries Pacers, forces Game 6

The Indiana Pacers had to win or go home. Paul George made sure his team lived to fight another day as exploded for 21 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter to lift his team to a 93-90 win. George had to use every weapon in his arsenal, shooting from all over, then rushing back on defense. His heroics kept his team in the game allowing them to weather Miami’s last-ditch charge to end the series right then and there.

LeBron James, who was hampered all night by foul trouble, ended up producing just seven points and four assists. His teammates picked up the slack. Chris Bosh finished with a team-high 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Rashard Lewis and Dwyane Wade each added 18 points apiece.

The see-saw of a game had Indiana taking an early 22-16 lead at the end of the first quarter, as an active Roy Hibbert and George Hill set the tone with their effort. Miami stepped up their defense in the second period and limited Indiana to 11 points, while they surged ahead, with a nine-point edge going into halftime (42-33). Paul George took charge in the third frame and kept his team’s head above water in the fourth period as the Heat rallied behind Bosh and Wade. Perhaps we’d be telling a different tale had James not been called for his fifth foul with a lot of time left in the game. The Pacers played the hand they were dealt, did what they could and narrowly escaped with their playoff hopes intact.

Aside from Paul George’s 37 points he also logged six rebounds, knocked down five triples and collected six steals. Hibbert faded after his first-quarter exuberance tapered off and ended up with 10 points and 13 rebounds. David West stayed active on offense and ended up with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Lance Stephenson finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists to his name.

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