Pacers 109 - 99 Timberwolves
Final
  for this game

Improved Wolves entertain Pacers

Feb 1, 2012 - 4:01 PM (Sports Network) - The Indiana Pacers target their third straight win tonight, when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.

Indiana has won two in a row and five of its last seven games, including Tuesday's 106-99 triumph over the New Jersey Nets. Paul George nailed four three-pointers en route to a career-high 24 points, while Roy Hibbert added a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Pacers, who got 21 points, seven rebounds and five assists from Danny Granger and shot 52.1 percent for the game.

"Paul George really carried us through some offensive stretches. He's a heck of a weapon at both ends," Indiana head coach Frank Vogel said.

Pacers guard George Hill exited the game with 1:35 left in the third quarter after he came down awkwardly on his left ankle following a jump shot.

According to Indiana's Twitter account, Hill has a small chip fracture in his left ankle and is out indefinitely.

The Pacers are 8-5 as the visitor this season.

Minnesota has won three of four games and will try to get to the .500 mark tonight.

In a 120-108 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday, Michael Beasley scored 34 points to help the Wolves set a franchise record with 42 points in the third quarter. Kevin Love added 29 points and was kept from another double-double, grabbing just seven rebounds. Rookie Ricky Rubio ended with 18 points and 11 assists.

"(Rubio) really got us going and was making all the right plays. He made plays, hit his shots and got us in up-tempo where we can be the best," Love said.

On the injury front for Minnesota, center Darko Milicic is doubtful for tonight with flu-like symptoms. The Wolves are 5-7 as the host this season.

Minnesota and Indiana are playing the first of two meetings this season and will square off again April 16 in Indy. The two teams split a home-and-home set a year ago, with each team prevailing as the host. The Pacers have lost five of six trips to the Twin Cities.






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