He’s Back: Paul George Scores 13 Points In 14 Minutes To Key A Big Win In His Return

Paul George was back on the court for the first time this season last night against the Heat. He had a bit of a hiccup early, but was the lightening rod behind Indiana’s 112-89 win over the Heat — who they’re currently battling for that final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Luis Scola’s 23 points and 12 rebounds off the bench in a shade under 19 minutes was big, but there’s no telling how George changes the Pacers on both ends of the court. His coach agrees, as he tells Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star:

The Pacers are better with George, but how much better? Good enough to pass the Boston Celtics, who are a game ahead for the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot? I asked Pacers coach Frank Vogel exactly how much better this Paul George, rusty as he may be, makes the Pacers for the final five games.

“Tough to measure,” Vogel said, “but certainly we’re a lot better with him. We missed him on both ends, but what he’s able to do on the defensive end is almost unparalleled in the NBA. Certainly we’re a lot a stronger on that end, and (with) the scoring punch he gives us on the offensive end as well.”

George was 3-of-6 from deep (5-for-12 overall) and hit two 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter and provide Indiana the cushioning they needed to breeze to the win. He’s not one of the top 10 players in the NBA right, but he’s back and his performance last night gives every indication he’ll eventually return to his rightful pedestal as one of the Association’s elite two-way players.

For Indiana, who stands one game behind Boston for the final playoff spot in the East, it was a game they had to win on their home court. The Celtics hold the tiebreaker over the Pacers, so Indiana has to finish with a better record over their remaining five games. Indiana goes on the road for their next two in New York and Detroit — winnable games if they’re going to advance. Then they welcome Oklahoma City and the Wizards to Bankers Life Fieldhouse before finishing up the season in Memphis.

The addition of George certainly adds a wrinkle to their late-season playoff push, and it’s not one that’s unlikely to benefit Boston very much.

(Indianapolis Star)

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