Pacers beat the Heat to prove their worth

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George, center, is trapped by Miami Heat forward LeBron James, right, and guard Mario Chalmers in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013. AP/Michael Conroy

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana showed it is a legitimate challenger to Miami for the NBA Eastern Conference crown by beating the Heat 90-84 on Tuesday, pulling off an impressive second-half rally in a clash of the East’s top two teams.

Indiana’s Roy Hibbert scored 24 points and Paul George had 15 of his 17 points during a second-half rally that saw the Pacers hit the front in the third quarter having been down by 13 points in the first half.

Indiana improved its league-best record to 19-3 and extended its lead to three full games by beating Miami at home for the fourth straight time.

LeBron James had 17 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for the Heat — which now trails Indiana by three games — but had only three baskets and nine points over the final 36 minutes.