The Portland Trail Blazers (15-3) are surprisingly tied with the San Antonio Spurs for the best record in the Western Conference.
The Indiana Pacers (16-2) are currently the best team in the entire league.
The two teams collided on Monday for the first time, and the competition did not disappoint. Paul George continued his rise to stardom, scoring a game-high and a career-high 43 points, including seven 3-pointers made. Roy Hibbert was also a factor with 16 points and 14 rebounds. With homecourt advantage on their side, however, the Blazers edged the Pacers 106-102. LaMarcus Aldridge had his shot working all night and led the way with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Damian Lillard added 26 points and six rebounds.
A couple of times in the second half, Hibbert stepped in to help David West when Aldridge managed to spin around him in the post. The result was a foul on the center each time, but Aldridge managed to draw more than a foul as his knee appeared to collide with Hibbert’s groin on both occasions.
After the contest, Hibbert addressed getting hit below the belt with a little humor, and Aldridge replied:
Next time I play @aldridge_12 I’m wearing a cup. Good game bro. We gonna battle again in indy. pic.twitter.com/xwKg4bojhx
— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) December 3, 2013
@Hoya2aPacer lol bro I don’t do it on purpose I’m just a one leg jumper so that’s how I jump. I don’t play dirty. Real talk — Lamarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) December 3, 2013
The two then shared words of great respect towards each other:
@aldridge_12 I believe u bro. We both competing hard. Tough post moves. Good luck in the West. We will see each other in the finals.
— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) December 3, 2013
@Hoya2aPacer yessir bro. Keep doing ya thang.
— Lamarcus Aldridge (@aldridge_12) December 3, 2013
There is a long way to go before anyone can predict an NBA Finals match, but it’s a great conversation between the two after a spirited game nonetheless.
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James Park is the chief blogger of Sheridan Hoops. You can find him on twitter @SheridanBlog.