Pacers beat Rockets 104-101
Monta Ellis scored 23 points, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Houston Rockets 104-101.
Ellis’ 17-foot pull-up jumper put the Pacers ahead for good with 4:47 left in the fourth quarter.
The Rockets got within 100-99 on Corey Brewer’s 2 free throws with 2:33 to play, but Ellis answered with a 21-foot pull-up jumper, and the Rockets got no closer than 103-101. They had the ball down 3 after a timeout, but Jason Terry missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have tied it.
During clutch time, the Pacers outscored the Rockets 10-6. Ellis scored 5 of the Pacers’ 10 on 2 for 5 shooting and 1 for 2 at the line.
Paul George had 25 points (16 in the first quarter) and 11 rebounds.
For the Rockets, James Harden had 34 points (15 in the third quarter), 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
The Pacers shot 47.1% from the field and 34.6% from 3 to the Rockets’ 44.7% and 21.2%. The Rockets outscored the Pacers 21-8 in 5 minutes with Ariza, Brewer, Harden, McDaniels and Capela on the floor together.