Hill scores 22, lifts Pacers over Suns 97-91

[December 29, 2012]  INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- George Hill scored 22 points, including three 3-pointers, and led the Indiana Pacers to a 97-91 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night.

Paul George had 15 points, and David West added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Pacers, who have won four straight and seven of eight.

Sebastian Telfair had 19 points and six assists, and Marcin Gortat had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who have lost four in a row.

West, who scored eight points in the fourth quarter, netted the go-ahead jumper to give the Pacers an 87-85 lead with 3:17 left to play after the Suns rallied from a 16-point deficit.

The Pacers led 85-83 before Telfair scored to tie it.

Telfair also got the Suns even at 81 when he scored off a steal with 6:19 left. Jermaine O'Neal then made two free throws to briefly put the Suns ahead.

West sank two foul shots to tie the game and scored again to put Indiana back in front before George went to the line and gave the Pacers an 89-85 lead.

Roy Hibbert put the game away when his two free throws gave the Pacers a 95-89 lead with 47 seconds left.

The Suns jumped out to an 8-1 lead to start the game, but George dunked with 7:12 left in the first quarter to give the Pacers a lead they wouldn't give up until the fourth quarter,

Tyler Hansbrough created a spark in a reserve role for the Pacers and scored 12 points. He scored four points as part of an 8-0 run in the first quarter.

The Pacers later went on a 10-0 run to build their lead up to 16 points. George hit two 3-pointers, and Hill and Stephenson also scored in the run.

Indiana led 58-44 at halftime.

The Suns went on a 10-0 run midway through the third quarter to cut the deficit to 68-60. They eventually got within four late in the third when Telfair hit a 3-pointer with 1:44 left in the quarter.

Beasley scored at the start of the fourth to make it 75-73.

[Associated Press]

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