Pacers pull away in fourth, beat Suns 116-97

Posted January 12, 2016 6:00 am

By JEFF SKIRVIN

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, fouls Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis as he shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Paul George had 21 points and seven rebounds, and the Indiana Pacers pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 116-97 on Tuesday night.

Indiana outscored Phoenix 36-21 in the final period, with George scoring nine points. Monta Ellis had all of his 14 points in the second half.

George Hill added 20 points and five assists for the Pacers. CJ Miles scored 19 points off the bench and went 4 of 6 from behind the arc. Center Ian Mahinmi added 10 points and five rebounds.

Devin Booker and Mirza Teletovic both finished with 19 points for Phoenix, playing the second of a three-game road trip. Markieff Morris added 16.

After missing 12 of their first 14 shots and facing a 25-13 deficit, Phoenix battled back to take its first lead midway through the second quarter at 36-34.

But 30 seconds later, the lights went out inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

A brief power outage in Indianapolis caused the outer bank of lights to go out. The game was suspended for 22 minutes and once play resumed, Indiana started rolling again.

Trailing by two when the lights came back on, the Pacers (22-16) finished the half on an 18-6 run to take a 52-42 lead into the break.

A back-and-forth third quarter saw the teams combine for 33 points in the final three minutes of the period. Booker had 12 points in the quarter as the Suns erased the 10-point deficit to take a 73-72 lead on Morris' free throw with 1:37 left in the quarter. Glenn Robinson's 17-foot bank shot at the buzzer propelled the Pacers into the fourth quarter with an 80-76 lead.

That set the stage for Indiana's blistering finish and runaway victory.

TIP-INS

Suns: Teletovic reached double figures for a career-best sixth straight game. .Tuesday's contest was one of nine road games Phoenix will play this month. .The Suns have lost eight in a row on the road. . The Suns had swept the last two season series with Indiana.

Pacers: Since starting the season 12-5, Indiana is 10-11. . George is currently second in All-Star voting for the Eastern Conference frontcourt behind Cleveland's LeBron James . Rodney Stuckey left the game in the first quarter with a sore right foot and did not return.

UP NEXT

Suns: Visit Boston on Friday.

Pacers: Visit Boston on Wednesday.

Indiana Pacers forward C.J. Miles (0) shoots over Phoenix Suns forward Mirza Teletovic (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) The Associated Press

Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) comes from behind to block the shot over Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) The Associated Press

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) The Associated Press

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