NBA Playoffs 2014, Hawks at Pacers: Paul George has a monster game in Indiana win (video)

Apr 22, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) guards Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) in game two during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Atlanta 101-85. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Indiana Pacers have played very poorly for the better part of two months. They fell apart down the stretch, winning just five of their final 13 games, but still earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference. That top seed gave them the right to play the only team in the postseason with a losing record, the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks, who finished with a record of 38-44 in the regular season.

That poor record didn’t stop the Hawks from taking it to the Pacers in game 1, dominating the game en route to a 101-93 victory that wasn’t nearly as close or competitive as the score indicated.

Pacers’ center Roy Hibbert has been an easy scapegoat, but when any team is in trouble, what they need most is for their best player to take over a game.

Pacers’ small forward Paul George simply didn’t do that in game 1.

Game 2 was a different story. George scored 27 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, dished out six assists and recorded four steals. Plus he helped shut down the Hawks’ game 1 hero, Jeff Teague.

You can see complete highlights of George’s night below.

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