Indiana Pacers improve to NBA Best 7-0

09 Nov, 2013

Falling a game short of the NBA Finals last season, the clear goal for the Indiana Pacers is the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and the home-court advantage that comes with it.

Keep this up, and they will have the best record in the whole league.

Paul George scored 24 points and the Pacers improved the NBA’s only undefeated record and the best start in franchise history to 7-0 by beating the Brooklyn Nets 96-91 Saturday night.

David West added 18 points and hit the clinching free throws for the Pacers, who won their first six games in 1970-71, when they played in the ABA. They have the longest winning streak to open an NBA season since both the Lakers and New Orleans were 8-0 in 2010-11, according to STATS.

“I really don’t get too caught up in the historical value of it, other than we’re ahead of the race,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “We’re trying to get the 1 seed to put ourselves in the position come playoff time with the best chance to come out of the East.”

Roy Hibbert finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Lance Stephenson also scored 15 points.

“We executed. That’s the maturity for this team,” George said. “Years ago we would have lost that game. We would have lost this game tonight just on not making shots and not executing and getting guys in spots to be aggressive at. But we’re growing as a team. We’re getting mature and we’re finding ways to win games.”

Deron Williams and Joe Johnson each had 17 points for the Nets, who fell to 2-4 and lost at home for the first time this season. Brook Lopez scored 16 and Paul Pierce had 15.

Vogel said the Pacers have made winning the East their priority after they lost Game 7 of the East finals on the road in Miami. The quick start has them well on their way.

“We’re just going out, playing the game,” George said. “We feel very prepped for the game. Everybody is dialed in. We’re not worried about keeping the streak alive, we’re just worried about going out there and playing our hardest and winning a ballgame.”

AP

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