Paul George scored 21 fourth-quarter points including 12 in the final six minutes when the Miami Heat were furiously rallying to try to steal Game 5 and end the series.
This is what a real go-to player does in the NBA. PG has struggled to be a consistent money man at winning time, but on Wednesday night he unearthed memories of Reggie Miller, shying away from no one and knocking down ballsy jumper after ballsy jumper.
As Lance Stephenson created a side show in the fourth quarter while guarding LeBron James, the spotlight on the main stage was shining on PG and man, did he deliver a performance we won't soon forget.
David West also came alive to support the winning close after a lackluster first half. West and PG scored the Pacers final 36 points including all of the Pacers points in the fourth quarter. West seemed to get it going after Miami put Michael Beasley in the game for three minutes late in the third quarter. Beasely's lack of awareness on defense allowed West to get free for a couple of comfortable jumpers and get his flow going. West scored 12 of his 19 points after Beasley took the floor.
As for Lance's goofball routine with LeBron, it appeared Stephenson wanted to set up camp under LeBron's skin to try and draw a sixth foul on LBJ. Lance only had three when they started matching up in the fourth quarter so it appeared he was willing to take a double-foul, double-technical, whatever it took to get LeBron off the floor. James never took the bait, but he also finished the quarter making just one of five shots and ended up passing on a chance to tie on the Heat's final possession. That resulted in a contested three-pointer from Chris Bosh which Lance tipped out for Roy Hibbert to gather up and seal the win.
While the game started out like a hot mess, the various levels of entertainment throughout the second half left the Fieldhouse rocking and the series still alive and headed back to Miami.
Check out the links:
Heat at Pacers, Game 5: Box score
Game Rewind: Pacers 93, Heat 90, Game 5 | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Paul George Steps Up to Plate, Homers | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Stephenson Has His Say | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
George roars to life, resuscitates Pacers - 1070 The Fan
Postgame: Pacers-Heat Game Five Wrap Up | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS
Kravitz: Desperation, Paul George pull Pacers through
Pacers keep hope alive with 93-90 win over Heat - AP
The Pacers Are Better Than the Heat (At Least When It Comes to Starting Lineups) | FiveThirtyEight
Pacers vs. Heat Game 5 final score, highlights and reaction - SBNation.com
Paul George: 'I was just in the zone and that's a great, unbelievable feeling.'
Foul trouble blows Heat's LeBron James off course
To Lance Stephenson, blowing in an ear is 'just playing ball'
Foul trouble spells trouble for the King, George keeps Pacers alive - Hot Hot Hoops
Good morning, Lance Stephenson's breath is in LeBron's head - SBNation.com
Lance Stephenson creeps, flops, blows in LeBron's ear - SBNation.com
LeBron makes right basketball play but wrong move in Game 5 loss - CBSSports.com
LeBron James' Rare Foul-Plagued Night Ends in Game 5 Defeat | Bleacher Report
Ray Allen Calls Lance Stephenson's Antics Toward LeBron James 'Buffoonery' | Bleacher Report
Indiana Pacers’ pulse stronger with Game Five 93-90 win to force return to Miami | KentSterling.com
Pacers Beat Heat in Game 5 on Paul George Heroics
Daily Dime: George's big helps Indy force Game 6 - ESPN
Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat: LeBron's foul night ends in loss - ESPN
Lance Stephenson is just somebody that we used to know and love | The Indiana Sports Report
Lance Stephenson silences LeBron James in Pacers' Game 5 win - NBA - Chris Mannix - SI.com
Pacers will have to get creative — and lucky — to keep Lance Stephenson | The Point Forward - SI.com
Report: Clippers’ Darren Collison to opt out, test free agent market. | ProBasketballTalk
Court Vision: Pacers force Heat into Game 6 with careless whisper - CBSSports.com
Lance Stephenson is doing everything he can to annoy the Miami Heat | For The Win