ressive. Despite taking Dwight Howards best shot Friday -- Hou

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pacers responded to Friday nights challenge like a champion. http://www.authenticchargersshop.com/Eric-Weddle-Chargers-Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Paul George finished with 24 points and nine rebounds, Lance Stephenson added 16 points and six assists, and the defence completely shut down Houston in a 114-81 rout. "This team doesnt like losing," coach Frank Vogel said. "We talked about playing mad for four quarters." By following Vogels plan, the Pacers continued to add to an already strong resume. While some try to discount Indianas quick start because theyre playing in the struggling Eastern Conference, the Pacers still have a firm grip on the conferences best record (21-5) and have already beaten three of the Western Conferences top teams -- the Clippers, Spurs and now the Rockets. The way Indiana has been winning is just as impressive. Despite taking Dwight Howards best shot Friday -- Houstons centre had 19 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks -- Indiana still managed to manhandle the usually potent Rockets offence. Houston (17-10) entered the game second in scoring average and third in field goal percentage. It left Indianapolis having shot 38.1 per cent in the game, compiling a season-low in points and losing to Indiana for the fourth straight time. Even James Harden, the leagues No. 6 scorer, couldnt get started. He was just 3 of 14 from the field and scored only 12 points, primarily against George. It was a disturbing twist for Houston, which had won three of its previous five, had beaten Chicago by 25 points on Wednesday and was trying to keep pace with division-leading San Antonio. Heck, it couldnt even figure out how to beat the Pacers stout defence. "We had no answers for them. They played way better than we did," coach Kevin McHale said. "We werent moving, we werent attacking, they had us on our heels all night." But Indiana also had something else -- motivation. The Pacers were determined to make someone pay for this weeks earlier stumbles, and they didnt care much about who showed up Friday. Not only did the Pacers finish with a season high 12 3-pointers, but they also had a season high point total, their largest victory margin (33) of the season and their second best field goal percentage of the season (53.1). Six players scored in double figures and they did all that on a night Roy Hibbert finished with nine points, six rebounds and one block. How did they do it? The same way the Pacers usually win -- with a balanced and a relentless defence. "Its a good feeling because when were at our best, we feel like were unstoppable," George said. "It was good to come out and play with high energy against a high-energy team." The Rockets never had a chance on a celebratory night for the Pacers. Indiana fans gave former All-Star Danny Granger a standing ovation when he made his season debut in the first quarter and chanted his name when he finally made his first basket, a 3-pointer, early in the fourth. Granger missed all but five games last season because of a left knee injury and he was sidelined all of this season by a strained left calf. If he is healthy, and he looked rusty on offence in his first game back, he would give the Pacers even more scoring punch as they try to dethrone two-time defending champion Miami. But by the time Granger made his entrance, Indiana was already taking control. Indiana went ahead 12-11 early in the first and spent the rest of the night pulling away. It led 25-20 after one, made it 41-29 early in the second and then fended off Houstons only real challenge, a 10-0 run that made it 41-39, by closing the half on a 17-6 burst to make it 56-45. Indiana quickly made it 64-49 in the third, sealed the game with a 17-4 spurt. "They played harder than we did," Howard said. "They brought a lot of extra energy at the beginning of the third quarter and thats what set us apart." And before it ended, the Pacers led by as many as 36. "We always say that good teams will bounce back," said George Hill, who had 12 points. "That showed were a good team." NOTES: Reserve Luis Scola finished with 13 points and made his first 3-pointer since joining the Pacers during the off-season. ... Houston played without guard Jeremy Lin (back) and Omar Asik (thigh). Asik, who has been the subject of trade rumours, did not make the trip. ... The Rockets were just 13 of 24 from the free throw line. Chris Watt Chargers Jersey . -- When Roberto Luongo learned he wouldnt be starting the Heritage Classic, the disappointed goaltender asked agent Pat Brisson to call Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis just to get a read on his future. http://www.authenticchargersshop.com/Elite-Ryan-Mathews-San-Diego-Chargers-Jersey-Womens-Nike-Nfl-24-New-Be-Luvd-Pink-14 . "Maintenance day for both those guys," said Sutter. Canada faces Finland in a semifinal on Saturday at Malmo Arena. Dumba was hurt in a collision late in the second period of Canadas 4-1 quarter-final victory over Switzerland and was limping after the game.DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons officially announced the next step in their win-now plan Wednesday, acquiring point guard Brandon Jennings from the Milwaukee Bucks for guard Brandon Knight and two other players. "We believe Brandons talent and skill-set will complement the core group of players we have assembled on our roster in a positive way," Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a statement released by the team. The Pistons also gave up two seldom-used players, forward Khris Middleton and centre Viacheslav Kravtsov. Detroit has signed free-agents Josh Smith, Chauncey Billups and Luigi Datome this off-season after drafting shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with the No. 8 overall pick, but it didnt have a standout point guard until agreeing to a deal with Milwaukee. The Pistons seem to have improved their chances of ending their four-year post-season drought with a series of moves this summer. The 23-year-old Jennings averaged 17.5 points and a career-high 6.5 assists last season, ranking among the leagues top 20 in both categories, and 2.5 turnovers. The restricted free agent has agreed to a $24 million, three-year contract with the Pistons. Milwaukee drafted Jennings 10th overall in 2009 out of Oak Hill Academy and he averaged 17 points, 5. Eric Weddle Pro Bowl Jersey. assists and 2.4 turnovers over four seasons with the Bucks, who couldve matched any offer made to the restricted free agent this off-season. "We evaluated all of our options and we determined this was the best one for us at this time," Bucks general manager John Hammond said in a telephone interview. Detroit drafted Knight eighth overall in 2011 out of Kentucky. He averaged 13.1 points, 3.9 assists and 2.7 turnovers over the last two seasons. "Were excited about being able to add a young point guard, who we expect to have a long and successful career with us," Hammond said. Middleton, a second-round pick last year, averaged 6.1 points in 27 games with the Pistons. "This is going to be a great opportunity for Khris because hes going to have a chance to earn viable minutes and we hope he takes advantage of it," Hammond said. The 6-foot-11 Kravtsov averaged 3.1 points in 25 games last season as a rookie, and might not end up being on the opening-day roster with the Bucks. Milwaukee, coming off its first post-season in three years, signed free agent combo guard Gary Neal to a two-year deal worth just under $6 million on Tuesday. Neal will help add some scoring to a backcourt that will be without Monta Ellis and J.J. Redick next season. ' ' '