Pacers restrained while they keep winning

There are times to be restrained, and times not to be.

For instance, coach Frank Vogel was not exulting in Wednesday's 105-82 victory over New York, even if it was the Indiana Pacers' ninth victory in 11 games. Granted, they beat the Knicks, who affirmed their status as the NBA's worst team.

"I'm excited about how we're playing. But coming into tonight's game, we were 10th in the East," Vogel said. "So there's nothing to be complacent about or really proud of. We have a lot of work to do."

On the other hand, he didn't want restraint when given a chance to exploit the Pacers' advantage. They led by 11 after one quarter, by 24 at halftime, by 30 in the fourth.

The Pacers shot 60 percent in the first half and cleared the bench in the second. Vogel gave center Roy Hibbert the night off, and the Pacers' other starters didn't need to expend much energy, either.

In 27 minutes, guard George Hill had a season-high 21 points (on 8-of-13 shooting) and six assists. He scored 13 points in the third quarter, although his most spectacular maneuver might have been a miss – a rimmed dunk after cutting through the lane. He has averaged 14.5 points and 6.0 assists during this 9-2 surge.

"I think the team has been doing a great job of everyone moving the ball, playing together and playing the right way," he said.

Vogel said he is prepared to use Hill, who was sidelined earlier by knee and groin injuries, for as long as 40 minutes. And Hill's value on defense might exceed that of his offense.

"I think there's still more to come from him," Vogel said.

Ian Mahinmi, who started at center for the fifth time this season, said Hill has allowed the Pacers to settle into comfortable roles.

"George has been a key piece to this puzzle," Mahinmi said.

There is no resolution to the puzzle that is the struggle for the Eastern Conference's Nos. 7 and 8 playoff slots. All the Pacers (26-34) could do was climb one spot to ninth, one game behind No. 7 Miami (27-33). Six teams from seventh to 12th are separated by four games.

Vogel wasn't optimistic that the Pacers could overtake Milwaukee for No. 6. The Bucks (32-28 before Wednesday's game at Golden State) have games against the Pacers on March 12 and 26.

"I think we're looking at 7 or 8, more than likely," the coach said. "You get in, and anything can happen."

The Pacers pushed their home record (15-14) over .500. The Knicks (12-48) have the NBA's worst record and were coming off Tuesday night's 124-86 loss to Sacramento – their most lopsided of the season.

Italian center Andrea Bargnani, chosen No. 1 by Toronto in the 2006 NBA draft, led the Knicks with 25 points.

The Pacers' 65-point first half that was their largest output of the season. (They scored 60 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 15.) The Knicks' 16 first-half turnovers resulted in 19 points by the Pacers, who had so many open looks that it resembled shootaround.

The half featured 29 points from the shooting guard combo of starter C.J. Miles (14) and backup Rodney Stuckey (15). Stuckey finished with 17 and Miles with 16.

Before the game, Vogel announced Hibbert would rest for this one. Also sitting out was backup point guard C.J. Watson, who has lingering elbow soreness.

Vogel said he is trying to manage the 7-2 Hibbert "a little better than we did last year so he's a little fresher down the stretch than he was last year."

Vogel said he would consider withholding other starters during the remaining 22 games. For instance, reserve forward Luis Scola's streak of 277 consecutive appearances ended Jan. 29 when he was held out of a 103-82 victory over the Knicks. The Pacers have more flexibility now that their siege of injuries has abated.

"We rotate more players in the games and practice. It keeps fresh legs, better intensity," Scola said. "And also, we're playing better, we're winning. When you win, you play better, you have more energy."

No timetable on George

There is no timetable for the return of forward Paul George, according to Vogel. At a Feb. 3 news conference, Pacers president Larry Bird said it was possible George could play this season.

George, who broke his leg in a USA Basketball scrimmage Aug. 1, has gone through three or four full practices with the Pacers.

"He's still got some hurdles to get past where he's able to get out on the court and play in games," Vogel said. "We're hopeful that it happens this year."

Call Star reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195. Follow him on Twitter at @DavidWoods007.

Bulls at Pacers, 7 p.m. Friday, FSI

NEW YORK (82)

Early 1-5 2-4 4, Amundson 4-6 0-2 8, Bargnani 10-17 3-3 25, Galloway 5-12 0-0 11, Hardaway Jr. 5-17 2-3 13, Thomas 1-4 1-2 3, Aldrich 1-2 4-4 6, Smith 1-3 2-3 4, Shved 2-7 2-2 8, Larkin 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 30-76 16-23 82.

INDIANA (105)

S.Hill 1-3 0-0 2, West 6-9 1-2 13, Mahinmi 3-7 0-1 6, G.Hill 8-13 2-2 21, Miles 4-9 5-5 16, Allen 1-6 3-4 5, Stuckey 7-12 2-2 17, Scola 4-9 1-2 9, Sloan 1-3 0-0 3, Rudez 2-4 0-0 6, Copeland 1-3 0-0 2, Whittington 0-2 5-6 5. Totals 38-80 19-24 105.

New York 19 22 23 18 — 82 Indiana 30 35 23 17 — 105

3-Point Goals—New York 6-16 (Bargnani 2-3, Shved 2-3, Galloway 1-3, Hardaway Jr. 1-4, Early 0-1, Larkin 0-2), Indiana 10-22 (G.Hill 3-5, Miles 3-6, Rudez 2-3, Stuckey 1-2, Sloan 1-3, S.Hill 0-1, Copeland 0-2). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—New York 54 (Amundson 10), Indiana 46 (Mahinmi 8). Assists—New York 16 (Larkin, Bargnani 4), Indiana 21 (G.Hill 6). Total Fouls—New York 20, Indiana 21. Technicals—West. A—15,981 (18,165).

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