George, Thunder down Pacers as star hosts his former team
OKLAHOMA CITY — Paul George scored just 10 points against his former team, and it was the kind of game he had longed for.
Russell Westbrook’s triple-double picked up the slack and helped the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 114-96 on Wednesday night.
The Pacers traded George to Oklahoma
City after it became public knowledge that he didn’t plan on staying with the team long-term. George, a four-time All-star while he was with the Pacers, savored being able to have an off night while his team still won comfortably. Westbrook finished with 28 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds and Carmelo Anthony had 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder to take the pressure off George.
“That hasn’t happened often in my career,” George said. “Fortunate to have those guys carry me. They know how big this game was for me, and they went out and got it for me.”
George rarely fouls out, but he committed his sixth with 6:15 left after playing just 19 minutes.
“It’s a coincidence, right?” George said. “I don’t know what was the cause. It was an agenda tonight.”
Steven Adams added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder, who snapped a twogame skid.
Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, who were sent from Oklahoma City to Indiana as part of the George deal, both started against their former team. Oladipo scored 35 points on 11 for 18 shooting.
Oladipo downplayed facing the Thunder.
“Yeah, just another game, man,” Oladipo said. “We have to go out and try to win. Unfortunately we came up short.”
Oladipo increased his scoring average to 26 points per game. He has thrived in coach Nate Mcmillan’s up-tempo offense.
“Vic’s been playing really well for us,” said Pacers guard Darren Collison, who scored 18 points. “He has a good flow. It’s good to have a player like that, that can get it going the way he’s been getting it going. Hopefully we get some wins with that and make us productive.”
■ At Philadelphia, Eric Gordon buired a 3 at the horn over an outstretched Joel Embiid and Houston bounced back from its first loss of the season with a win.
■ At New York, Spencer Dinwiddie made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 43 seconds left while starting for the injured D’angelo Russell, and Brooklyn overcame Lebron James’ first triple-double of the season to win.
■ Atlosangeles, Kentavious Caldwell-pope hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 59 seconds remaining in overtime and Los Angeles handed Washington its first loss of the season.
■ —At Oakland, Calif., Stephen Curry scored 30 points, Kevin Durant added 29 and Golden State closed on a 10-0 run to win its second straight.
■ At Dallas, Dennis Smith Jr. had 19 points and five assists and Dallas got its first win of the season. The Mavericks snapped a four-game losing streak, while Memphis picked up its first loss.
■ At Miami, Lamarcus Aldridge continued his hot start by scoring 31 points, Rudy Gay added a season-high 22 off the bench and San Antonio stayed unbeaten by topping Miami.
■ At Charlotte, N.C., Frank Kaminsky scored 20 points off the bench, Dwight Howard had 15 points and 19 rebounds, and Charlotte handed Denver its second consecutive loss.
■ At Detroit, Tobias Harris scored 34 points, Avery Bradley added 20 and Detroit overcame another slow start hand Minnesota its second loss in two nights. The Pistons improved to 3-2.
■ At Phoenix, T.J. Warren scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half and energetic Phoenix improved to 2-0 under new interim coach Jay Triano. Utah never led.
Rockets 105, 76ers 104 — Nets 112, Cavaliers 107 — Lakers 102, Wizards 99, OT — Warriors 117, Raptors 112 Mavericks 103, Grizzlies 94 — Spurs 117, Heat 100 — Hornets 110, Nuggets 93 — Pistons 122, Timberwolves 101 — Suns 97, Jazz 88 —