Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (left). AP FILE PHOTO
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s Paul George scored 20 points while contributing seven rebounds and six assists to spark the NBA-leading Pacers over the Los Angeles Lakers 118-98 on Tuesday.
The Pacers improved to 43-13, staying just ahead of Oklahoma City (43-14) for the league’s best record, while the Lakers fell to 19-38, the worst mark in the Western Conference.
Evan Turner, making his Indiana debut after being obtained from Philadelphia at the NBA trade deadline, came off the bench to score 13 for the Pacers while Lance Stephenson added 13 points and nine rebounds for the winners.
Kent Bazemore scored a career-best 23 points in a losing cause as the Lakers lost for the sixth time in seven games.
Indiana swept the two-game season series with the Lakers for the first time since the 1991-92 campaign.
Pau Gasol’s jumper pulled the Lakers within 59-58 early in the third quarter but the Pacers followed with a 12-1 run.
George netted 12 of his 20 points in the period and Indiana’s 17-4 run to conclude the third quarter stretched the Pacers lead to 91-70.