Hill's increased minutes help Pacers stop Pistons

There's still talk about playoffs around Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Even with the Indiana Pacers scrapping their heels at the bottom of the Central Division standings and daily adding names to the injury report, the postseason isn't a preposterous idea within the organization.

Coach Frank Vogel reminds players of the standings after wins. President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird still shares the goal of playing through the month of May.

Optimism dies hard in Central Indiana. Or, maybe these idealists pour their belief for a better future into the new Pacers' starting lineup. So much belief that months of fighting uphill, then fading, can be forgotten just with C.J. Miles on the wing, Rodney Stuckey on the attack, David West and Roy Hibbert ruling the paint and, finally, George Hill running the show.

For one night at least, as the team donned the classic Flo-Jo jerseys that sparked nostalgia and maybe a glimpse of what could be, those hopes did not seem that far off as the Pacers performed in harmony on the offensive end and defeated the Detroit Pistons 114-109.

On this Wednesday night, the Pacers (18-32) inched a half-game closer in the standings – and still sit 3½ behind the eighth-seeded Miami Heat – but grew in confidence because for the first time this season, they trotted out the starting lineup that was envisioned at the season's start.

"I like it a lot," Vogel said of the unit. "I like the defensive abilities of that group and I like the experience of that group."

As much as Hill faced criticism last year as the fifth starter, his absence this season due to various injuries has proven his value to this team. It's not by accident that Hill moved back into the starting lineup and the Pacers scored a season high, shot better than they had all year from the floor (59.7 percent) and the 3-point arc (12-for-21, 57.1 percent). And it's no coincidence that an opposing guard, D.J. Augustin, who was averaging 21.8 points and 9.2 assists over his previous five starts, could muster only 4-of-14 shooting and 12 points against Hill's long-armed and fleet-footed defense.

"When (Hill's) in the lineup," David West said, "we're better."

In less than 26 minutes of action, Hill, making only his fourth start, scored a game-best 20 points (8-of-12). The Pacers started the game by leaning on Hill and running the first few plays so that he could use the size advantage he had over the 6-foot Augustin.

The smaller Augustin excels in running opponents ragged, off pin downs and in transition, so Hill did the logical thing by making Augustin work on the defensive end, occasionally backing him down on the post. And, what had to have been an encouraging sign for the Pacers, Hill even flipped the tables on his former teammate by running him through screens, making quick cuts off the ball to get free and never once grimacing toward the team's medical staff.

"Last game, I tried to do a move where my leg gave out on me, so today I tried to not put myself in that situation so it doesn't give out," said Hill, who missed 11 straight games with a left groin strain after an abbreviated comeback from a quad muscle tear earlier in the season. "Just trying to avoid that until I really feel that my body can take it and not get a setback."

Hill's assertiveness wasn't reserved for his own offense. He also led the team with six assists and through the first quarter, the lively ball moved with purpose with the starting group as they combined for 21 points and five assists. By the end of the game, the Pacers, 20th in the league in sharing the ball, had amassed 28 assists.

"George Hill makes a difference, we all know that, but it wasn't just him," Vogel said. "I thought our guys really worked hard the last couple days of practice and tried to improve some of the offensive fundamentals we're trying to get done out there, but certainly George being out there and leading the way is a big, big difference for us."

Hibbert finished with a big-man's delight of 16 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. Miles, starting in place of second-year Solomon Hill, scored 15 and hit back-to-back 3s down the stretch of the fourth quarter. West also chipped in 14 while Stuckey contributed eight points and five assists. And with the bench going for 41 points, there was no offensive letdown through the game – all reasons why the Pacers haven't completely abandoned the expectation of making the postseason.

"We've just got to stay healthy," said West, while knocking on the paneling around his locker. "That's the biggest key."

However, even while displaying why there's still hope among the organization, the Pacers could not escape more pain.

Early in the second quarter, backup center Ian Mahimni jumped for a rebound and badly twisted his right ankle. The play looked similar to the one involving West in the preseason that led to him missing the first 15 games of the year.

Mahinmi did not put pressure on the foot as he was helped off the court and into a wheelchair. The Pacers announced that X-rays performed on Mahinmi's ankle were negative and he did not return to the game.

Call Star reporter Candace Buckner at (317) 444-6121. Follow her on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.