Hoops Habit
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NBA Christmas: A Gift For Every Team’s Wish List

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view as an official Spalding basketball goes through the hoop and net during the Phoenix Suns game against the Boston Celtics at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) and Paul George (13) high five each other during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Indiana Pacers

Help For Paul George

To start the season, Paul George was the best MVP candidate not named Stephen Curry. He was averaging 27.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game on .447/.440/.846 shooting splits through his first 20 games, the Indiana Pacers had posted an impressive 12-8 record, and he — and C.J. Miles — had been the key to the team’s small-ball transformation over the course of one summer.

Since that red-hot start, however, PG-13 has come back down to earth after weeks of going NC-17 on his opponents. Over the last two weeks, his numbers are down to 17.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game on 32.8 percent shooting from the field and 27.3 percent shooting from the floor.

The Pacers have gone 4-4 in that two-week span, and with rookie Myles Turner still out, it’s become obvious that Miles, Jordan Hill and Ian Mahinmi aren’t enough to support George as he comes cratering back down to earth. However, all this might take is Monta Ellis (12.3 PPG, 42.5 percent shooting) finding his scoring touch once again.

Next: Los Angeles Clippers