INDIANAPOLIS – Paul George knew he needed to have a good game after the way he played Monday night.
George posted his first career triple-double with 23 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 12 assists, and the Indiana Pacers snapped a two-game losing streak with a 101-77 rout of the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night.
The All-Star forward bounced back after being limited to five points on 1-of-10 shooting in a loss to Brooklyn on Monday.
“It came in the course of me trying to do whatever I could, not only to win the game but to try to extend the lead,” George said.
“I knew I needed a big game. I didn’t play well at all (on Monday night) and didn’t help, I thought, to win that game.
“I wasn’t having intentions of coming out and having a triple-double, but I knew I had to be more aggressive this game.”
Tyler Hansbrough tied a season high with 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Pacers starting in place of David West, who was sidelined by an eye injury.
“I feel like I can get a better rhythm coming straight from warm-ups,” Hansbrough said.
“Also I think a little more focus. I’m not going in and trying to force things. Just relaxed and letting things come to me. I think relaxing and letting the game come to me is a big deal.”
Byron Mullens led the Bobcats with 19 points.
HAWKS 108, MAGIC 76: In Orlando, Fla., Josh Smith had 30 points and 10 rebounds and Al Horford added 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead Atlanta.
SPURS 96, CAVALIERS 95: In Cleveland, Kawhi Leonard’s three-pointer with 2.9 seconds remaining lifted San Antonio. Leonard’s clutch basket came after Dion Waiters’ jump shot with 9.5 seconds remaining put Cleveland ahead 95-93.
HORNETS 99, TRAIL BLAZERS 63: In New Orleans, Anthony Davis had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and New Orleans handed Portland its fifth straight loss.
PISTONS 96, WIZARDS 85: In Auburn Hills, Mich., Will Bynum scored six of his 20 points in a late run to lead Detroit.
With the game tied at 76, but Bynum scored six straight points to give Detroit the lead with 3:23 to play. Jose Calderon made the lead nine points with a three-pointer, and the margin was 11 before John Wall broke Detroit’s surge.
CELTICS 71, BULLS 69: In Boston, Kevin Garnett scored eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter and added 11 rebounds, and Boston overcame poor shooting.
RAPTORS 92, KNICKS 88: In New York, reserve Alan Anderson scored 26 points in one of the few good offensive performances for either team as Toronto got its fourth straight victory.
JAZZ 97, TIMBERWOLVES 93: In Minneapolis, Al Jefferson had 20 points and 11 rebounds and Paul Millsap scored 21 points to power Utah.
NETS 119, NUGGETS 108: In New York, Joe Johnson scored 26 points, including five three-pointers, C.J Watson added 25 points to lead Brooklyn.
BUCKS 94, 76ERS 92: In Milwaukee, Monta Ellis scored 28 points, Brandon Jennings added 21 and Milwaukee rallied in the fourth quarter.
MAVERICKS 123, KINGS 100: In Dallas, Vince Carter scored 26 points to pass Larry Bird on the NBA’s career scoring list.
