After recovering from a broken leg suffered eight months ago, Paul George had the love and appreciation on his side. And he needed it. Upon checking out of his first game of the 2014-15 season, George, breathing heavily through a contented smile, told a statistician, "I felt like a rookie."
During the Pacers' 112-89 win, George played 15 minutes and scored 13 points (5-of-12 from the floor with three 3-pointers) and picked up two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Though George also turned the ball over three times and picked up just as many fouls, the Pacers (34-43) outscored the Heat by 12 while he was on the floor.