NBA: George's triple-double lifts Pacers over Hawks | Inquirer Sports

NBA: George’s triple-double lifts Pacers over Hawks

/ 07:00 AM April 22, 2013

Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith (5) is defended by Indiana Pacers’ Paul George during the second half of Game 1 in the first round of the NBA basketball playoffs Sunday, April 21, 2013, in Indianapolis. Indiana defeated Atlanta 107-90. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers, buoyed by a triple-double from Paul George, seized the advantage Sunday in their NBA Eastern conference playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks with a 107-90 win.

George posted 23 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds to lead Pacers to their first game-one win in a playoff series since 2006.

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Indiana’s four other starters also scored in double figures, with George Hill contributing 18 points and Roy Hibbert 16. David West and Lance Stephenson added 13 points each for the Pacers.

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The contest was the first of two Eastern Conference first-round openers on Sunday, with the reigning champion Miami Heat hosting the Milwaukee Bucks later.

The Heat captured home court advantage throughout the playoffs by building a league leading regular-season record of 66-16 — a campaign that included a moster 27-game winning streak.

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Miami’s superstar trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh led the way, James recording more than 2,000 points for the eighth time in his career.

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The Heat won three of four regular-season meetings with the Bucks, who limped into the playoffs, finishing the season 2-7 to end up the eighth seeds in the East.

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In Indianapolis, George and the rest of the Pacers dominated the Hawks at the foul line.

George made 17 of his 18 free throw attempts and the Pacers made 30-of-34 from the line compated to 7-of-14 from Atlanta.

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Indianapolis native Jeff Teague paced the Hawks with 21 points and seven assists. Josh Smith had 15 points and Al Horford scored 14 in the defeat, and neither was a factor in the second half.

The Hawks will try to level the series when the Pacers host game two on Wednesday.

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TAGS: Basketball, HAWKS, NBA, PACERS, Paul George, Sports

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