For just the second time this season, the Pacers came out victorious on the back end of a back-to-back, beating the Sacramento Kings 115-111 in overtime on Friday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
And, for the third night in a row, Paul George — who was recently named to his fourth NBA All-Star Team — filled up the cup, surpassing 30 points. George finished with a game-high 33, including a dagger jump shot from the top of the key to give the Pacers (24-22) a lead in OT.
The combination of George's elevated scoring totals alongside the distribution of Jeff Teague has the Pacers once again looking like a team with the puzzle pieces fitting together. After dropping three consecutive games, the Pacers have now strung together two games in a row.
But on Sunday evening, Indiana faces a daunting test as the 35-15 Houston Rockets visit The Fieldhouse, led by MVP-frontrunner James Harden. On Friday, Harden added yet another accolade to his stellar 2016-17 campaign, dropping 51 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists during the Rockets' win over the 76ers.
Although the Rockets are one of the most dangerous teams in the West, there might not be a better time to face them, as Houston has struggled its way through their five-road trip, going 2-2 entering Sunday's meeting with the Pacers.
Indiana-native Eric Gordon, who attended North Central High School, has missed two consecutive games with a tight lower back, taking away his 17.4 points per game from the Rockets.
While the Pacers will have home court in their favor, where they have amassed an impressive 17-6 record, fatigue might play a role against the Rockets, who play at one of the fastest tempos in the NBA. Sunday will be Indiana's fourth game in seven nights Projected Starters Jeff Teague Paul George C.J. Miles Thaddeus Young Myles Turner James Harden Patrick Beverley Trevor Ariza Ryan Anderson Clint Capela Pacers: PG – Jeff Teague, SG – Paul George, SF – C.J. Miles, PF – Thaddeus Young, C – Myles Turner Houston: PG – James Harden, SG – Patrick Beverley, SF – Trevor Ariza, PF – Ryan Anderson, C – Clint Capela Injury Report
Jeff Teague
Paul George
C.J. Miles
Thaddeus Young
Myles Turner
James Harden
Patrick Beverley
Trevor Ariza
Ryan Anderson
Clint Capela
Pacers: PG – Jeff Teague, SG – Paul George, SF – C.J. Miles, PF – Thaddeus Young, C – Myles Turner Houston: PG – James Harden, SG – Patrick Beverley, SF – Trevor Ariza, PF – Ryan Anderson, C – Clint Capela
Pacers: Kevin Seraphin – questionable (sore left knee), Rodney Stuckey – out (left hamstring strain)
Rockets: Eric Gordon – questionable (lower back tightness) Last Meeting
March 27, 2016: The Pacers overcame a late charge by the Rockets, winning 104-101 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Houston's James Harden went off for 34 points as the Rockets orchestrated a 19-3 run in the fourth quarter to storm back into the game.
But down the stretch, the Pacers went with a small lineup, as Ian Mahinmi hammered in two slams to the delight of the home crowd.
After Mahinmi's powerful dunks, things got close once again as Harden and Corey Brewer each drew trips to the free throw line where they were able to winnow the lead to 100-99. But Monta Ellis — who finished the game with 23 points — rose up and hit a midrange jumper, making it a three-point Pacers lead.
The Rockets had one last chance to tie it up, but the shot from Jason Terry sailed wide, giving the Pacers a crucial win in the late-season matchup. Noteworthy The Rockets have lost seven of their last 10 games in Indiana Rockets guard Eric Gordon attended North Central High School in Indianapolis and played college basketball for Indiana University Pacers reserve Aaron Brooks won the Most Improved Player Award as a member of the Rockets following the 2009-2010 season Pacers forward Rakeem Christmas and Rockets guard Tyler Ennis were teammates at Syracuse University Tickets
James Harden and the offensive-minded Houston Rockets land in Indiana for a Sunday evening showdown with the Pacers. Tipoff is set for 6 PM ET Find Tickets » Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
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), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host) Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070. Home Court Gift Shop Game Night Special
50th Season Long Sleeve Tee – $16. Game Night Specials can be purchased in the Home Court Gift Shop or any of our souvenir stands located on all levels of Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The special is also available online at PacersGear.com until midnight.
Construction Note: The Delaware St. entrance to the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage is no longer in operation due to the construction of the St. Vincent Center. To enter the Virginia Ave. Parking Garage, please use the entrance located at the intersection of E Maryland St. and S Alabama St. In addition, the southbound lane of Delaware Street from Maryland to just south of the train bridge will be closed for the duration of the construction project.
In addition, the southbound lane of Delaware Street from Maryland to just south of the train bridge will be closed for the duration of the construction project.
