Candace Buckner

IndyStar

Pacers at Nets, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, FSI

Paul George didn't have the answer to explain the Pacers' late-game breakdown Monday night during the 111-106 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. George had even more trouble finding the right expression to capture his feelings about his transitioning role on the team.

"It's hard to find the words for it," George told IndyStar after scoring 11 points on 3-of-15 shooting while leading the team with eight assists, but collecting five turnovers. "Before it was, I had the confidence just being out there. I knew what I could do and I was comfortable in doing that. Then it was like slowly 'you can’t do this, you can’t do that, too much of this, too much of that,' so I had to change it up a little bit. Kind of opened it up for our other guys to be aggressive and have opportunities.

"So I’m not sure what to call it.”

Rookie Myles Turner, who for the second time in his three starts attempted more shots than George, has taken the early steps in becoming the Pacers' big man of the future. George Hill, emerging as the team's best perimeter shooter, has ramped up his game to be more than just a forgettable option who camps beyond the arc. Monta Ellis, suddenly flashing signs of his former self, stepped forward in January by averaging 17 points and 6 assists.

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Then there's George. Still the Pacers' leading scorer with a 23.5 scoring average, but feeling as if his role has shifted as the team now has a 25-23 record.

"It’s changed, it’s definitely changed (since the) start of the year," George said. "Just kinda felt like I had the confidence and coach was giving me the confidence with the green light. I’m still confident, guys are still making the right plays. Just seems like a transition a little bit."

Disney could not have penned a better feel-good script as George made his return to full-time action after rehabbing his broken leg through much of last season. In November, he danced around defenses, coming off high screens and drilling jump shots from the mid-range and deeper. Deadly from the 3-point arc, George shot 49 percent and earned Eastern Conference Player of Month award by averaging 29.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists. A staggering pace of excellence and efficiency, and one that George could not sustain. As the winter continued, George's field-goal percentage has dipped like the temperature (now 40.9 percent).

• BOX SCORE: Cavaliers 111, Pacers 106

In the first quarter against the Cavaliers, George assisted on three of the team's 12 field goals. He wanted teammates to get into the flow, a responsibility he said he has accepted.

"For this team, I feel like I had to change the role to get other guys going and using our pieces," George said.

So after an early basket by the Cavaliers, George penetrated, drew defenders then dropped the ball off to Turner for a thunderous dunk. Then he stole a possession from Kyrie Irving, led a 3-on-1 fast break and found Hill for the layup. And later, in leading another high-energy play in transition, he moved the ball forward for Ellis to finish with a finger roll. Three examples of a willingness to create for others and three easy buckets for teammates. However, when came time for his own offense, George far too often chose the most difficult path.

Before the game, Vogel mentioned the team has tweaked things to ease George's burden from doing too much off the bounce. But watching George in action reveals how his proclivity for 1-on-1 challenges has been to the detriment of his shooting percentage. Of his six shot attempts, only two came directly after a teammate had set a screen.

In the first quarter, George missed 5-of-6 shots as the Pacers fell behind 33-26. He missed another three looks in the second quarter. George’s struggles continued into the third quarter, eventually taking a seat at the 4:39 mark after giving away a possession then committing his fourth foul.

Then with the game on the line, George never touched the ball on the final play of regulation. Instead Turner admitted to forgetting the play and not setting a cross screen for George. This mental blunder led to the game clock ticking away and Ellis forcing a contested jumper that sent the Pacers into an eventual overtime loss.

"I’m unsure. Maybe the pressure," George said, stabbing at a guess after Turner's mental mistake. "Us being late in the game, us having to make the final play. Just the pressure of that. Not really sure. …Can’t speak for everyone."

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For his part, George did not burden the rookie with more guilt. He called it "growing pains" and pointed out the good (Turner's first career double-double: 14 points, 10 rebounds). This was easy to express. It's just the other part George has trouble in talking about.

"Uhmm. As long as we’re winning," George said, responding when asked if he was OK with what he sees as a changing role.

"Of course I pride myself on being a go-to guy and a leader on this team. So it’s bothering a little bit," George continued. "But again, at the end of the day, I’m all in on this team. Coach put guys in great position to succeed."

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Follow IndyStar reporter Candace Buckner on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.

Pacers at Nets, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, FSI