You can follow Jared Wade (@8pts9secs) and I (@TimDonahue8p9s) during the game on Twitter for the Pacers’ side. From the Jazz side, be sure to check out our True Hoop sister site: Hoopinion. Also, be sure to give Brett Legree (@Hoopinion) a follow.

Remember, Pacers and Pacer faithful…you can sleep when you’re dead.

For my fellow stat geeks and obsessive-compulsives, I give you the fact sheets.

Pacers Fact Sheet

Hawks Fact Sheet

Related posts:

1. Twitter Preview – Pacers Kick off Seven Games in Nine Nights by Hosting the Jazz
2. Twitter Preview – Magic Visit Indy for Pacers’ Lone Home Game This Week
3. Twitter Video Preview – Mavs Up Next for Pacers. Will Indy Be Rude to Them, too?

Indiana was running Utah out the damn gym, up 21 points in the middle of the third quarter. Then a funny thing happend on the way to a blowout: the Jazz went on a 25-to-4 run as the Pacers missed 10 straight field goals. Just like that, the game was tied, and it looked like Frank Vogel might have a Sacto Part Deux on his hands.

It was quite the shame, too. Roy Hibbert and especially Darren Collison had been dynamite all night. They combined for 29 first-half points on 13-for-16 shooting and DC surpassed his season-high in scoring when he reached 21 points mid-way through the third quarter. (He finished with 25.)

Not to worry. Not long after the Pacers coughed up the lead and couldn’t get anything going, Danny Granger took over. He made 5 of his 6 shots in the fourth quarter on the way to 12 points in the final period. It was more than that though. He played top-notch defense late, running timely double teams at the Jazz post players and not forcing anything on offense. The key play of the game came on a Granger drive with just over 3 minutes to play and the teams knotted at 95.

Danny made his way into the paint and looked poised to elevate for the same off-balance, in-traffic 6-footer he has been bricking all season. Instead, he crouched, gathered and kicked it out to a pretty-open Collison on the right wing. The defense, which had collapsed on Granger’s penetration, ran out at DC, who calmly swung the ball to a wide-open Paul George at the top of the key. All net. Indiana took a 98-95 lead they would never relinquish.

I don’t want to overstate one pass, but it seemed like a big moment in this season for the Pacers captain. Granger missed all 6 of his first-half shots. He didn’t look any better in the third quarter. After the game, Mike Wells reported that Danny told him he took sleeping pills on Monday and still felt groggy throughout the game before perking up in the fourth. Regardless, he was clearly feeling it at the time of his critical pass and had hit his last 4 shots in the past 4 minutes, three of which were mid-range jumpers that didn’t so much as touch the iron.

But rather than putting up a shot you know he wanted to take (shooters gonna shoot), he made the right play. A while back, after a win in Boston in which he passed up an even more delectable shot for him — an open three — to pass the rock over to a more-open George Hill, he told me that “whoever has it going, that’s where we’re going.”

He meant that the Pacers have so many weapons that, whoever is hot, that will be the guy who gets the ball. Well, tonight, in the fourth quarter, when the rest of his team was letting the Jazz storm back into this game and nearly win one on Indiana’s home court, Granger was the one who had it going. He had every right to take that shot — because he was on fire, because he was the only one really getting anything going in he fourth and because he had earned an attempt by penetrating into the paint on that play.

Instead, he kicked it out.

So perhaps he needs to revise his little slogan. Maybe from now on it should be: whoever is open, that’s where we’re going. With team-wide ball movement focused on that goal — like they displayed in the second half against the Mavericks, for example — the Pacers truly do look like one of the best teams in the league. We saw plenty of that tonight. Until we didn’t. But when it really mattered, and the team needed to close out a team that made a game out of one that should have been over, they got back to it. Increasingly, that ball movement and instinct to find the open player is beginning to look like it’s ingrained in this team’s DNA.

Here is how each guy played individually tonight. Agree? Disagree? Express your thoughts below in the comments or yell at me (@8pts9secs) or Tim (@TimDonahue8p9s) on Twitter.

	David West - 30 MIN | 3-9 FG | 6 REB | 3 AST | 8 PTS Nothing standout but had 2 hoops as the Pacers started pulling away in the 2nd half. Was a good decoy in the pick-and-roll.
	Danny Granger - 36 MIN | 6-14 FG | 5 REB | 3 AST | 16 PTS MVP of the game with 12 pts in the 4th on 5-for-6 shooting while playing elite defense late and making the pass of the game on a kickout that led to the go-ahead-for-good George trey.
	Roy Hibbert - 35 MIN | 7-13 FG | 10 REB | 2 AST | 17 PTS The Jazz had absolutely no defense for the Big Hoss tonight, who notched a double-double and sent back 4 Utah shots.
	Darren Collison - 36 MIN | 10-14 FG | 4 REB | 5 AST | 25 PTS Despite the Pacers nearly giving this one away and Granger taking over late, this is one DC game nobody should forget. Made excellent decisions all game on the way to a season-high 25 pts.
	Paul George - 29 MIN | 5-10 FG | 5 REB | 2 AST | 14 PTS “RT @8pts9secs The way Paul George knifes through traffic sometimes and—especially—slithers around screens, I swear his natural state is gaseous.”

	Dahntay Jones - 13 MIN | 1-6 FG | 1-1 FT | 0 REB | 3 PTS On the one hand, missed 5 shots. On the other hand, had a sweet and-one. On the other other hand, had some gross isolation plays.
	Louis Amundson - 12 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 0 PTS Looked a lot like Lou Amundson out there.
	A.J. Price - 12 MIN | 2-5 FG | 0 REB | 1 AST | 5 PTS Had back-to-back inexplicable turnovers when he straight handed the ball to the Utah for a breakaway layup and followed that up with a back-court travel for no reason.
	Tyler Hansbrough - 19 MIN | 3-8 FG | 3 REB | 1 AST | 8 PTS Stuck some jumpers and got a sweet assist on that aforementioned Dahntay 3-point play. Rebounded.
	Lance Stephenson - 18 MIN | 4-7 FG | 0-4 FT | 1 AST | 8 PTS Looked fantastic scoring in the paint. Now, make a FT.

Related posts:

1. Post-Game Grades: Pacers Look Shaky Late But Hold Off the Nets
2. Post-Game Grades: Pacers Beat Up Cs in Boston
3. Post-Game Grades: Pacers Beat the Lakers in LA

Also, it’s not great news for a team that looked dead on their feet after four games in five nights that the next 9 nights bring seven (1-2-3-4-5-6-7) games.  It’s time for another Twitter video preview – I’ll give you my thoughts in 140 seconds or less.

You can follow Jared Wade (@8pts9secs) and I (@TimDonahue8p9s) during the game on Twitter for the Pacers’ side. From the Jazz side, be sure to check out our True Hoop sister site: Salt City Hoops. Also, be sure to give Spencer Ryan Hall (@saltcityhoops) a follow.

Aaaaaaand…Jazz hands.

For my fellow stat geeks and obsessive-compulsives, I give you the fact sheets.

Pacer Fact Sheet

Jazz Fact Sheet

Related posts:

1. Twitter Video Preview – Pacers Are Goin’ to Disney World!
2. Twitter Preview – Magic Visit Indy for Pacers’ Lone Home Game This Week
3. Twitter Video Preview – Mavs Up Next for Pacers. Will Indy Be Rude to Them, too?

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All respect due to Paul George for an excellent block here but it was really the great hound-dog, full-court pressure Darren Collison put on Chris Duhon that forced him to take such a weak, swattable shot. (via @Jose3030)

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I promise not to make this a regular occurrence.

You can follow Jared Wade (@8pts9secs) and I (@TimDonahue8p9s) during the game on Twitter for the Pacers’ side. From the Magic side, keep up with Eddy Rivera (@erivera7) and be sure to check out our True Hoop sister site: MagicBasketball.net.

Well, that’s the housekeeping. Let the gushing begin! (Actual Game Preview content starts at 5:00 mark.)

For my fellow stat geeks and obsessive-compulsives, I give you the fact sheets.

Pacer Fact Sheet

Magic Fact Sheet

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Today, Michael Pina of Shaky Ankles breaks down Paul George’s amazing performance in Dallas last night in Analyzing The Anomalous: Paul George vs. Dallas  He highlights one of the little things that both Jared and I had noticed and just loved:

Holding onto a seven point lead midway through the first quarter, George attempted three straight pick and rolls with David West…on a single possession. As the shot clock neared zero, neither Pacer panicked and the result was a wide open mid-range jumper, which, of course, West nailed. The patience and chemistry the two shared on this particular play was a symbiotic work of art.

Though I recall a similar fourth quarter possession. Mr. Pina finishes by showing that he expects big things from Our Mr. George:

Two years from now it won’t be like this. Two years from now George won’t be taking any prisoners. Two years from now performances like this might make us cover a yawn.

Big words that I’m sure we all hope prove true. Please click on the link above to read the whole piece, and give Michael a follow @ShakyAnkles.

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The Pacers really came to play tonight with David West setting the stage for a great start to the game. Indiana made their first 8 shots and were on pace for a 50-point opening quarter half-way through the period. Then, ya know … Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George.

Dirk Nowtizki.

Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul.

But in all seriousness.

Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George.

Ball movement from willing passers.

In the third quarter … Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George Paul George.

Meanwhile, David West and Darren Collison.

Here is how each guy played individually tonight. Agree? Disagree? Express your thoughts below in the comments or yell at me (@8pts9secs) or Tim (@TimDonahue8p9s) on Twitter.

	David West - 37 MIN | 9-11 FG | 6 REB | 5 TO | 20 PTS You like efficiency? West got ya. You like great passing that didn’t show up in assist column? Had that, too. You like scoring 8 pts in the opening 3 mins? He’s your guy. You like E. Honda defense on Dirk? On it.
	Danny Granger - 36 MIN | 5-18 FG | 3-5 FT | 5 REB | 5 AST | 16 PTS Was better than his line and tracked down 5 ORBs, some that made his 13 misses non-hurtful. Kept that ball moving and helped show that it’s becoming increasingly irrelevant who scores as long as someone is.
	Roy Hibbert - 37 MIN | 3-13 FG | 14 REB | 3 AST | 2 BL | 9 PTS The Pacers won in the defending champs’ building and Roy gave them nothing on offense. Kinda scary when you think about it. Meanwhile, crushed the glass.
	Darren Collison - 33 MIN | 5-12 FG | 4 REB | 6 AST | 13 PTS Steve Nash who? This guy hasn’t made many bad decisions this week and once again provided everything you could want from the guy running your offense. Why would Indy fans want anyone else right now?
	Paul George - 41 MIN | 11-19 FG | 9 REB | 5 AST | 5 STL | 30 PTS Wish there was something above an A+. Career game from a guy who looks like we’ll be saying that again soon. The total package tonight. Blew up Twitter. Hard to put it in words.

	Dahntay Jones, SG 13 MIN | 2-4 FG | 2 REB | 4 PTS Ate his tough guy pills enough to get Brendan Haywood all riled up and, to much surprise, is becoming a great, reliable contributor off the bench in a lot of ways.
	Louis Amundson - 2 MIN | 0-1 FG | 1 REB | 0 AST | 0 PTS Barely played.
	A.J. Price - 15 MIN | 1-6 FG | 2 REB | 4 AST | 3 PTS Had his second straight really shaky night. Hurry back, George Hill.
	Tyler Hansbrough - 19 MIN | 0-1 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 1 PTS His inability to contribute in many games is becoming worrisome. The starting unit was so good it didn’t matter but it will at some point.
	Lance Stephenson - 5 MIN | 1-2 FG | 3 REB | 0 AST | 2 PTS Played fine.

Related posts:

1. Post-Game Grades: Pacers Beat the Lakers in LA
2. Post-Game Grades: Pacers Beat Up Cs in Boston
3. Post-Game Grades: Pacers Show Some Valiant Come Back-ability to Beat the Raptors in Toronto

On a night where he dropped a career-high 30 points on the strength of hitting 7 threes, Paul George also found the time to track down Jason Terry to swat away his would-be breakaway layup — before it even left his hand. He followed that up but scurrying back to the other side of the court and hitting a try. George finished the game with a line of 30 points (on 11-for-19 shooting, 7-for-11 from deep), 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals blocks. Not so bad for a second-year player. Or, ya know, anyone.

UPDATE: Mike Wells, the Pacer beat writer for the Indianapolis Star, spoke to George about the block after the game and he had this to say.

“I knew I could close out on him,” George said. “JT is losing some speed on that Jet. I knew I was able to catch up to him and make a play on that. I came down on the other end and A.J. (Price) found me.”

These Pacers say the darnedest things.

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(Image via Born A Star Clothing. It will soon be a t-shirt available for purchase. Click here for larger version)

Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated is lobbying for Paul George to be a part of All-Star Weekend. No, not as a reserve for the team itself, but as a guy who deserves to be showcased as a young, versatile talent in both of the game’s “opening acts” the night before: the Slam Dunk Contest and the Three-Point Shootout. After watching the veritable Dominique tribute he displayed on the break the other night and the 33 treys he has already hit this year (while shooting 45.8% from behind the dark), it’s hard to argue he has earned an invite to both.

Thomsen explains why.

The league would be recognizing the emergence of a versatile young player who is viewed by his team as a future star. At 21, George is more than a one-dimensional dunker and a long-distance specialist. He is one of the fundamental reasons for Indiana’s 15-6 start, even as he generates long-term hope of becoming a superstar later in his career.

“Paul’s got a chance to be a really good ball player — beyond really good,” said Pacers forward David West, a two-time All-Star. “He doesn’t know how really dominant he could be. He’s got such great size at the ‘two-guard’ position, it’s almost like Kevin Durant and the size he has at the small forward position. To be a 6-foot-8 two-guard who can shoot it, bring it down the floor, handle it, is as athletic as anybody in the league — and he’s really just learning how to play.”

Thompson’s profile does a pretty good job diving deeper into how George is emerging. As a guy surrounded by player near or above his equal in talent, he doesn’t have to do too much too soon. He is learning the game at his own pace, and as anyone who has been watching since he entered the rotation — just about one year ago, mind you — can tell you, he is showing all the signs of someone who can be very, very good in this league for a very long time.

This is especially true on the defensive end.

Eventually George should earn a more important part in the offense — he’s averaging 11.5 points, and his 8.5 shots per game rank last among Indiana’s starters — but in the meantime, the Pacers are channeling him as a defender. Coach Frank Vogel often shifts George onto opposing point guards in the final minutes. It’s a sign of George’s unusual ambition, and it also speaks to his talent that he’s able to stay in front of point guards and still challenge their shots with his length.

“When [Tracy] McGrady was young, he played no defense, and not only wasn’t he interested but he wasn’t capable,” said Vogel. “Paul has learned how to use his length to space guys like Derrick Rose or Chris Paul. We said, ‘Pressure but space, and make them shoot jumpers over your length. Learn that and you can become a good ball-containment guy.’

“The thing about [Paul] is he’s got a knack for anticipating on the level of Allen Iverson and Eddie Jones — two great steals guys who know how to play the passing lanes. [Paul] gambles a little too much and that hurts you sometimes, but he led our team last year and he leads us this year in deflections per minute, and he has a knack for blocking shots. What he brings to the defensive table is just as impressive as what he brings offensively, which is not the case in most guys like him that are young, second-year guys with offensive skills.”

The more and more I watch George, the more and more I see Michael Finley. Both are uber-athletes who play high-level defense, can shoot the rock and have no holes in their game. I’m not sure that George will ever reach that 22-point-per-game scorer level, but he could have a better defensive career than Finley. Paul also has that even-keeled and silent assassin thing going on. The slight tongue stick-out following his highlight reverse dunk the other night might be the most exuberant I’ve seen him get on the court. Otherwise, he tends to just do his job, lock down his man, stick some jumpers, penetrate when he gets the urge and dunk whenever he can.

This brings us back to that dunk contest thing.

First off, as he told Thomsen, George would dig being a part of both extracurricular events in Orlando. He even thinks he could win either one.

He wasn’t surprised by the idea of competing in both the shooting and dunking contests later this month in Orlando. “I think I could compete and possibly win both of those,” he said.

He hasn’t been practicing for the dunk contest. “But I have some ideas I’ve had since this summer,” he said. “I got a couple things up my sleeve that I think I can pull off. It beats jumping over the hood of a Kia.”

George made it clear he wasn’t trying to criticize Blake Griffin for his winning dunk over a car last year. Based on Griffin’s extraordinary talents, George thought he should have been more ambitious.

That there is some confidence.

Word to the wise though, PG: if you do get that invite, don’t be like Mike Finley. Nobody wants to see a re-enactment of the cartwheel. Then again, this would work. And feel free to replicate this in the three-point contest. Or, ya know, perhaps tonight against Finley’s old team even.

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