George, Miles lead Pacers' 3-point barrage Paul George jokes after Indiana hits a franchise-record 19 3-pointers

Candace Buckner | IndyStar

WASHINGTON -- Before facing the Washington Wizards, Paul George reflected on his memories of the matchup. Two years ago, the Indiana Pacers were focused on exacting revenge in the Eastern Conference finals while the Washington Wizards were the rising, young team threatening to end their run in the second round of the playoffs. The Pacers finally survived the series in six games with what George now describes as the team’s “special unit.”

George was referring to his old starting teammates, but after the Pacers’ 123-106 win over the Wizards on Tuesday night, he needs to make room in his heart for the pairing he has with C.J. Miles.

More than just “special,” the tandem was spectacular. George and Miles combined for 72 points. They missed only twice in 17 attempts from 3-point range. And together they blew out the wattage of Washington’s star power, John Wall and Brad Beal (38 points combined).

Miles finished with 32 points, the most scored during his two seasons as a Pacer, and thrived beyond the 3-point arc for 8-of-9 makes. Then there was George, who was even more “special” – 40 points on 14-of-19 shooting, 7-of-8 from 3. As a team, Indiana (9-5) hit a franchise-record 19 3-pointers in 26 attempts. The previous record was 17.

“First time really having someone else just as hot,” said George before sharing his favorite compliment. “I didn’t know we both missed one 3 a piece, so it’s special, special night.”

George and Miles. Miles and George. No matter which name goes first, for at least one night the pair moved ahead of all other great duos in the NBA.

• BOX SCORE: Pacers 123, Wizards 106

According to Elias Sports, George-Miles became the fifth pair of teammates in league history to both make seven 3-pointers in a game. Through all his years around the NBA, Pacers coach Frank Vogel has never experienced something like this.

“No. We might have had some Pierce-Walker moments when both of those guys were going off,” Vogel said, recalling his time with the Boston Celtics with Paul Piece and Antoine Walker. “But not 8-for-9, 7-for-8. I don’t think that’s ever happened.”

An announced crowd of 15,486 fans remained silent through the first quarter as the Pacers hit their first nine shots – with Miles and George uniting for eight makes.

“I just felt good. I was getting good looks,” explained Miles, who hit all four of his 3s in the quarter. “It’s a confidence booster coming in games when you know you’ve got a four man (defending you).”

George, just as confident while playing in his natural wing position, shot masterfully through the first half (7-of-10, and the attempts mostly came on jump shots). But by the third quarter, he unlocked a new level of the zone.

Scoring more than half of the Pacers’ 31 points, George made the Wizards’ perimeter defense look vulnerable as he swished three 3-pointers to remain perfect from the arc in six attempts. George’s only blemish came as he tossed up a 27-footer at the end of the quarter.

By the end of the night, many of those once tongue-tied Washington fans shrieked for George’s attention as he walked back to the visitor’s locker room. George was in the giving mood and extended his hands for high fives, then shared one-liners for the crowd of microphones. When asked why he plays so well inside the Verizon Center – he scored 39 during a playoff game here – George smiled and said “I love being in D.C. Yeah, I got to get the president out for one game.” Also, when sharing thoughts about himself and Miles, George joked: “We’re the East Coast Splash Brothers.”

Though Golden State’s Steph Curry and Klay Thompson form the league’s most lethal scoring backcourt, George and Miles went beyond having a ‘Splash-esque’ performance.

Behind the duo’s heavy lifting, the Pacers made 73 percent of their 3-pointers, the best shooting percentage of any NBA with at least 25 attempts, according to Elias.

“We ran into a hot tandem there,” Washington coach Randy Wittman said. “They got started early and really never cooled off.”

So, such a night begs a question: Has Miles emerged as the trusty scoring sidekick over Monta Ellis?

Though Ellis signed with Indiana to bond with George in the spread lineup, he’s been more of a willing facilitator than second-leading scorer and shares a team-best 5.3 assists per game. But Miles does not view this as a change in the pecking order. In fact, Miles wants to make more room in this duo.

“Obviously, Paul’s Batman,” Miles said, “but maybe we just got three Robins.”

Follow Star reporter Candace Buckner on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner

Bulls at Pacers, 8 p.m. Friday, FSI