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Pacers slip past Bucks

Feb 28, 2014 - 4:26 AM Indianapolis, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - The NBA's best predictably beat the league's worst on Thursday, but it was a lot closer than anticipated.

Roy Hibbert totaled 24 points and 12 rebounds and the Indiana Pacers eked by the Milwaukee Bucks 101-96 on Thursday.

Paul George and Lance Stephenson netted 18 points apiece for Indiana, which has won three in a row -- two against the hapless Bucks -- following a stretch of three losses in a five-game span.

"We're a balanced attack. A different guy will get going every night," Pacers head coach Frank Vogel said.

Brandon Knight and Khris Middleton had 23 and 22 points, respectively, for Milwaukee, which posted just its 11th win of the season on Monday against Philadelphia.

Milwaukee, after trailing by as many as 17 in the first half, actually led 60-54 following a Middleton 3-pointer less than three minutes into the third quarter.

The Bucks, however, went the final five minutes of the third quarter without scoring, and Indiana's subsequent 11-0 run gave the hosts a 73-66 advantage entering the fourth.

Though the lead never changed hands in the final stanza, it was still a close, one-possession game coming down the stretch.

Knight's layup had Milwaukee within 88-85 with under two minutes to go, and Indiana answered with the next six points to seal the outcome. George hit a 13-footer coming out of a timeout, and Hibbert tacked on two free throws and a jumper while being fouled on the next two Indiana possessions.

Even though Hibbert missed the free throw, Indiana held on for the win.

"We're just going to focus on finishing this season strong, knowing that we'll not be in the playoffs, and just try to set a foundation for next year," said Bucks guard O.J. Mayo, who donated 14 points.

The Pacers doubled up the Bucks in the first quarter, 30-15, and were up by a dozen before Middleton and Knight combined on a 12-0 run over the final two minutes of the half.

Middleton scored the first seven points of the surge, and Knight followed with a 3-pointer and a runner just before the buzzer to even things at 50-50.

Game Notes

Indiana improved to 44-13 on the season, while Milwaukee fell to 11-46 ... The Bucks made half of their 24 3-point attempts ... The Pacers have won all three meetings against their Central Division rivals this season ... Indiana's George Hill, who finished with nine points, suffered a bruised left shoulder and is listed as day-to-day.