Paul George Scores 32, Pacers Defeat Bulls 111-101

The Indiana Pacers were happy to be back home on Friday as they defeated the Chicago Bulls 111-101 and ended their four game skid. The Pacers had lost six of their lost seven games on the road and the four game losing streak was the teams longest of the season.

Indiana (16-18) lost 90-85 to the Bulls in Chicago on December 26, but Paul George and Thaddeus Young helped the Pacers improve to 12-5 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse this season.

Indiana got out to an early double-digit lead in the first thanks to Paul George, who scored 10 points on 4-5 shooting in the quarter. Jeff Teague struggled from the field for most of the game, but recorded six of his 17 assists in the quarter to help lead the Pacers to a 28-22 lead after one.

The Chicago turnover woes didn't help them in the second quarter as the Indiana defense stifled Bulls perimeter trio six first half turnovers. This led to multiple Indiana transition scores as they continued to stay ahead by double-digits throughout the first half.

Thaddeus Young helped pace Indiana in the second quarter as well, by scoring eight of his 17 points. He also recorded six rebounds and two assists in the game.

Dwayne Wade and Jimmy Butler helped Chicago stay within striking distance in the first half by scoring a combined 17 points in the second quarter. The Bulls have struggled to find scoring outside of Butler and Wade this season, but Doug McDermott did his share scoring 10 points off the bench. Butler finished the game with 25 points on 8-17 shooting from the field, while Wade recorded 20 points and five assists on 8-18 shooting.

Indiana shot lights out from the field and went 12-13 from the charity stripe in route to a 62-50 halftime lead.

The Pacers held the Bulls to 7-22 shooting in the third quarter, but allowed Chicago to reach the free throw line 12 times. George went 1-5 from beyond the arc in the quarter keeping the Bulls in the game. Indiana led 84-73 heading into the final quarter.

The Bulls went on a 22-11 run to begin the fourth quarter that tied the game at 95, but Paul George was not having any of it. He scored 11 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter to lead Indiana to victory.

Myles Turner and Glenn Robinson III also had good games offensively scoring 15 and 12 points respectively. Robinson III recorded another double-double with 10 rebounds as well.

Indiana will take New Years Eve off before hosting the Orlando Magic on Sunday to begin the New Year.