The Indiana Pacers (22-16) defeated the Phoenix Suns (13-27) 116-97 on Tuesday.
The already-decimated Suns entered Tuesday's tough road tilt in an even further weakened state, as Brandon Knight was ruled out earlier in the day with an illness. That left Phoenix with a very young starting backcourt of Archie Goodwin and Devin Booker, and both acquitted themselves the best of all five starters. Meanwhile, even a 30-minute power outage failed to derail a sharpshooting Pacers squad, who managed to drain 51.9 percent of their attempts from the field, and a 41.7 percent tally from three-point range. Indiana was equally proficient on the defensive side of the ball, taking the ball from the outmanned visitors 19 times and converting those turnovers into 27 points.
Goodwin and Booker contributed 12 and 19-point efforts, respectively, as the only Suns starters with double-digit scoring. Both players also pitched in with a pair of rebounds and assists apiece. P.J. Tucker did haul in a solid 10 rebounds, but only was able to pitch in a modest five points and hand out five assists. The rest of the notable offensive contributions came from the Phoenix bench, with Mirza Teletovic leading the charge with 19 points, five rebounds and a pair of assists. Markieff Morris contributed 16 points, nine rebounds, an assist and a steal over 27 minutes, his best performance by far since a season-high 28-point outburst against the Spurs on Nov. 23. T.J. Warren was the third reserve with double-digit scoring, amassing 10 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal.
The Suns fell to 13-27 and remain in fourth place in the Western Conference's Pacific Division. They now head to Boston for a Friday night showdown versus the Celtics.
Indiana enjoyed solid nights from all members of their starting five, led by Paul George's 21 points, seven rebounds, an assist, two steals and two blocks. George Hill was a close runner-up, managing 20 points, five assists and three rebounds. His backcourt mate Monta Ellis poured in 14 points, dished out seven assists and tallied four steals, as he and Hill exploited the inexperience the Suns' backcourt for the evening. Ian Mahinmi continued his solid play with 10 points five rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Lavoy Allen rounded things out for the first unit with a productive eight points and seven boards. C.J. Miles came off the bench to play 31 minutes and amass an impressive 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
The Pacers improved to 22-16 and moved into sole possession of third place in the Eastern Conference's Central Division. They head to Boston to take on the Celtics on Wednesday.
