Pacers Streak Past Suns, 116-97

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

The Indiana Pacers defeated the Phoenix Suns 116-97 Tuesday night in a return game for Indiana. After a road stretch, the Pacers found themselves back home with the faltering Suns for an opponent. Indiana used a strong fourth quarter to pull away for good and get the win.

In the first half, the Suns held the lead and the momentum when suddenly, the power went out. Indianapolis suffered a brief power outage due to the snow and temperatures the past few days. Bankers Life Fieldhouse’s lights went out and caused a 22-minute power delay. Phoenix was on a 23-9 run when the lights went out, and came out flat and shooting poorly when the switch was flipped back on. The Pacers responded with a quick run and pulled ahead by ten at halftime.

The third quarter was a very back-and-forth quarter. Both teams got hot, shot well, and played streaky defense. In fact, the final three minutes of the third saw the two teams combine for 33 points. The Suns took a one-point lead after a Markieff Morris free throw that erased the ten-point deficit. Then, in the fourth, Indiana came out blistering shooting 67 percent from the floor and completely took Phoenix out of the game. The Suns couldn’t score and the Pacers couldn’t miss, with Indiana outscoring the Suns by 15 in the final quarter.

The Pacers were lead by Paul George, who scored 21 overall and nine in the fourth. The other George, George Hill, scored 20 points. C.J. Miles hit four threes off the bench. On the other side, Mirza Teletovic scored double digits for the sixth straight game. Devin Booker scored a career high 19 on 66 percent shooting. Brandon Knight missed the game due to food poisoning while Rodney Stuckey left in the first quarter with a toe injury.

The Pacers continue their season with a trip to Boston on Wednesday while Phoenix plays in Boston Friday night.

The win pushes the Pacers record to 22-16 on the season.