Everything went according to script.
In his first game since snapping his leg last August, Paul George returned to a standing ovation and lifted the Indiana Pacers to their biggest win of the season, a 112-89 thumping of the Miami Heat.
In his brand new No. 13 uniform, PG13 scored 13 points in 15 minutes off the bench. He shot 5-12 from the field, hit 3 three-pointers, and added 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, plus one botched wide-open layup that shows he’s not quite where he wants to be yet.
That said, the confidence was definitely there. PG hit his first shot, a leaning 14-footer, and nailed consecutive threes in the fourth quarter to put the game effectively out of reach.
His return overshadowed 23 points (on 10-15 shooting) and 12 rebounds from Luis Scola, the true star of the game who kept coming up with loose balls, offensive boards and big baskets against Miami’s undersized lineup.
The crucial win propelled the Pacers to a tie with Miami for the 9th spot, a game behind Boston for the final playoff spot in the East and 1.5 games behind Brooklyn for 7th. A loss would have meant preparing for the offseason for the Pacers, but now they live to fight another day.
Let’s just hope the energy PG brought with him in his return can carry over for the remainder of the season. They’ll need it if Rodney Stuckey, who re-injured his wrist late in the game, misses time or isn’t himself (he’s already said he’ll play against the Knicks on Wednesday).
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