Pacers forward Paul George lets out a scream during Saturday's 91 77 victory in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals vs. the Heat.(Photo Brian Spurlock USA TODAY Sports)
INDIANAPOLIS Roy Hibbert dumped a load of pressure on Paul George.
He's the future the Indiana Pacers center said of his teammate. He has a chance to be MVP of this league next year.
Hibbert's words came moments after the Pacers beat the Miami Heat 91 77 in Game 6 on Saturday behind 28 points eight rebounds and five assists from George the 2012 13 NBA Most Improved Player Award winner. But before anyone talks about George as an MVP candidate for next season first things first Game 7 is Monday night (8 30 ET TNT) in Miami.
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The dramatic conclusion to a riveting series would not have been possible if not for George who scored 15 points in the second half including nine in Indiana's game changing third quarter.
He's learning from (Pacers forward) David West in terms of exhibiting his will Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. Just his will and determination to carefree about what his individual numbers look like but just to do whatever it takes to win a basketball game. Whether that's take a charge or get a steal or block a shot or get a defensive rebound make a big shot or make extra passes.
He's just one of the most complete players in the game and just exhibited his will tonight.
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In the third Indiana destroyed Miami outscoring it 29 15 and turning a 40 39 halftime deficit into a 68 55 lead heading to the fourth quarter. George was in the middle of it adding four rebounds two steals and one assist to this stat line in the quarter.
In one a 55 second stretch in the third quarter George an All Star for the first time this season made a three pointer made two free throws stole the ball made a layup and stole the ball again and turned an eight point lead into a 60 45 lead.
We knew in Game 5 they came out and seized control of the game in the third quarter and I felt like we could do the same Vogel said.
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Last SlideNext SlideBut as big as George's third quarter was his biggest make came in the fourth with Miami charging. The Heat eliminated a 17 point deficit and stormed back into the game. It was 72 68 Indiana after LeBron James made a layup with 5 minutes 53 seconds left in the game.
The momentum shifted and most everyone watching expected a tight finish.
But George hit a three pointer on the next possession.
We knew they were going to make a run George said. This team they're deadly offensively. They can really put points up. That's just us staying together being poised and just rallying.
George's shot was the beginning of a 9 0 Pacers run that extended their lead to 81 68 and ended any chance of a Miami comeback.
When the champs are making a run at you like they are ... you need somebody who can break down the defense on his own late in the clock Vogel said. And Paul was able to do that.
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