George’s big finish leads Pacers past Lakers 89-87

The Pacers defeated the Lakers 89-87. Vogel added: “I’m not unhappy that’s the last time I have to face Kobe Bryant”. Paul George and Kobe Bryant is a matchup everyone will want to see.

Though Hibbert was on the court for shootaround, Scott was apparently unwilling to give the center clearance to play, so the Los Angeles Lakers will likely wait until closer to pregame warmups to reach a conclusion on the center’s status. The Pacers wore their Hickory uniforms that night in Los Angeles, in front of Reggie Miller.

Paul George had six straight to erase a Kobe Bryant led comeback as IN edged the Los Angeles Lakers late. Paul George was exceptional in that game for the Indiana Pacers.

Hibbert entered Saturday averaging 6.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks this season.

Bryant was not the only one who struggled with shooting Monday. The two-time All-Star averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game last season. George scored a team-high 21 points, but made just two of his 10 three-point attempts.

IN played their third game with Myles Turner and Ian Mahinmi as the starting frontcourt and seventh overall with the new look.

But Indiana needed someone to come through with the game on the line, and getting away with a win was all that mattered in the end tonight. IN opened its largest lead of the half 43-31 when Myles Turner banked in an 11-footer and the Pacers remained in front through the rest of the half. However despite the Lakers hitting only 6-of-23 shots, they trimmed to Pacers’ lead to 64-59 by the end of the quarter. Bryant responded by tapping his heart and waving to the crowd on a rugged night. Last time Hibbert faced off against the Pacers, he wasn’t a big factor, as he only scored 8 points.

Though the Lakers led 84-80, George stepped up to steal the game back. The attention won’t all be on Hibbert though on Monday night, it’ll mainly be that this is Kobe Bryant’s last time playing in Indianapolis against the Pacers.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (11-42): Bryant’s four-game run has occurred despite a balky shoulder that typically leaves his status unknown until the day of the game.