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The Pacers avoided disaster by holding on to beat the Pelicans on Thursday night. By the time the game started and Jrue Holiday was a late scratch, the Pelicans trotted out a worse team than the Sixers team the Pacers beat on Monday.
The Pacers weren't able to put away the 'Cans until closing time but wins of any variety are all that matter at this point in the season and more importantly the playoff race.
The biggest story from the game was losing Paul George for the second half after he took a knee from Alonzo Gee below his right knee. This is the same area where PG's compound fracture occurred (or as he referred to it after the game, "where I previously had an injury") but at this point it appears to be a contusion impacting the muscle and not the bone in any way.
It was surely a good sign that PG was walking around the locker room after the game and spoke with the media. PG's availability for the Nets game on Saturday is up in the air, depending on the level of soreness on Friday morning and his ability to work through it. His goal to play in all 82 games could be in jeopardy but he sounded more interested in making sure his leg was right than trying to play for the sake of the 82-game goal. Still, unless further tests reveal something different, PG should be fine and missing a game would be taking a cautious approach.
The good news from the game was that Myles Turner put in work with 24 points and 16 rebounds. PG joked within earshot of the rook that he played a "big boy game" which drew a chuckle and head shake from Turner. Hey, when Anthony Davis is out you have to take advantage and Turner did just that against New Orleans.
Also, C.J. Miles was able to play more minutes with PG out and shot his way through some early struggles to finish with 19 points. Miles is still trying to get his game legs under him so the opportunity to play big minutes should help with that process.
Finally, Ty Lawson continued playing his role off the bench with about 15 reserve minutes. He finished with four points, two rebounds and three steals. Frank Vogel doesn't expect Lawson's role to expand much beyond the 15-20 reserve role he is working is way into now.
George on Turner's performance: "He had a big boy game." @Pacers #Pacers #Pelicanshttps://t.co/4NUkE1cZjk
— FOX Sports Indiana (@FSIndiana) March 25, 2016
Check out the links:
Game Rewind: Pacers 92, Pelicans 84 | Indiana Pacers
Turner Turns 20, and Turns It On | Indiana Pacers
Pacers Insider: Concern for PG, praise for Myles Turner
Pacers celebrate Turner's big birthday by beating Pelicans - AP
Pelicans lose to Pacers, 92-84, despite Alexis Ajinca's 22-point effort | NOLA.com
Anthony Davis undergoes successful knee procedure; won't require surgery on left shoulder | NOLA.com
Severely shorthanded Pelicans fall to Pacers, 92-84 - The Bird Writes
Paul George leaves game against Pelicans with lower-right leg contusion | Vigilant Sports
Paul George on Pacers’ playoff chances: ‘We should have a little pressure’