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Pacers Win Preseason Finale Against Charlotte

By Dave McKee

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Oct 13, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; From left to right Indiana Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey, forward Paul George, guard Monta Ellis, guard George Hill, and forward Chase Budinger watch from the sidelines during a game against the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Detroit 101-97. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers prevailed in their preseason finale against the Charlotte Hornets, 98-86, in Fort Wayne, Indiana on Thursday Night.

Pacers fans made the trip to Fort Wayne for to support their Indiana in their final preseason game. Pacers Coach Frank Vogel decided not to go with a “football mentality,” instead, he approached this final exhibition as a regular season game.

The Pacers starters – Paul George, C.J. Miles, George Hill, Ian Mahinmi and Glenn Robinson – paid tribute to the approximately 10,000 that packed the home of the NBDL franchise Ft. Wayne Mad Antz.

-= Related: Paul George Will Have His Best Season Yet =-

Perhaps one of the biggest takeaways from the game is the fact that the team survived the preseason without any major injuries and is relatively healthy. Monta Ellis was withheld from action due to a respiratory infection. What were the other positive notes on the night you ask? Chase Budinger is already playing in mid-season form and the Pacers tallied 29 fast break points for the game.

C.J. Miles led the team with 20-points, but it was Budinger’s great shooting night that garnered the most attention. Budinger hit on 7 of 11 shots including going 3 for 6 from the perimeter for 17 points against the Hornets. Paul George added 12 points and six rebounds. Rookie sensation Myles Turner added 7 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocked shots.

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The Hornets did not play most of their starters whereas the Pacers’ Paul George, George Hill and C.J. Miles, Myles Turner and

Rodney Stuckey

and

Glenn Robinson III

all played for over  23 minutes or more. Head coach Frank Vogel wanted to make sure his team – with so many new players – was ready for the regular season. Preventing any injuries was not the focus as

Vogel said

to the

Indianapolis Star:

"“We can’t worry about that,” Vogel said before the game. “You’ve got to worry about being sharp, and that’s what our priority is. Most teams use that last preseason game as a tuneup for guys to feel what it’s like to play 35 minutes a game for their starters.”"

For all intensive puroposes, the Pacers do look to be ready for the season. Paul George’s is 100% back as is evident in his confidence in his footwork on the court. Take this sweet little spin move for example:

The most difficult problem for Indiana will be deciding which three players will not make the final roster. it is definitely not an enviable position to be in. Most of the roster has shown promise during seven preseason games. The Pacers start the season on Wednesday night tipping off  against the Raptors in Toronto. The Pacers home opener will be on the following night against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, October 29th.

Next: Pacers face Hornets

Be sure to check back throughout the season for all your Pacers coverage here at Ink On Indy.

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