George, Pacers, Take Round One Against LeBron, Heat!

Paul George and the Indiana Pacers took round one of what is expected to be a season-long race for first place in the Eastern Conference.

More importantly, the Pacers put the defensive clamps on James, forcing the reigning MVP into a dismal 6-for-16 shooting performance. Even more telling is they way Miami’s lack of interior size is now starting to hurt them in a big way.

Pacers’ underrated center Roy Hibbert managed to score a game-high 24 points against Miami while making an efficient 10-for-15 from the field by dominating Miami’s uninspiring – and mostly short – front line.

Indiana moved to a perfect 10-0 with the victory and delivered a message to Miami that, come playoff time, they are going to be far more prepared than they were in last     season’s Eastern Conference Finals.