Blazers cool off Pacers despite George's 43
PORTLAND, ORE. – LaMarcus Aldridge had 28 points and 10 rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers defeated Indiana 106-102 Monday night, ending the Pacers' seven-game winning streak. Paul George had a career-high 43 points for Pacers (16-2), who own the NBA's best record.
The Blazers pulled in front until early in the fourth quarter but the Pacers kept it close, and George hit consecutive three-pointers that narrowed it to 98-96 with 1:37 left. Damian Lillard answered with a three-pointer and Nicolas Batum made a pair of free throws for the Blazers before George hit another three-pointer that got Indiana within 103-99 with 21 seconds to go.
Lillard finished with 26 points for the Blazers (15-3), who have won 13 of their past 14 games.
HIGHLIGHTS
• HERE COME THE PELICANS: New Orleans moved a game above .500 when Jrue Holiday's three-point play with 2.6 second left in the third overtime pushed it past the host Bulls 131-128.
• FINALLY .500: The host Wizards (9-9) got to .500 for the first time since it was 2-2 in the 2009-10 season with a 98-80 victory over the Orlando Magic.
• INJURY UPDATE: Paul Pierce will be lost to the Nets for two to four weeks because of a broken bone in his right hand … Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar will be out about four weeks (torn hamstring).
ASSOCIATED PRESS
