Paul George is putting up big numbers and has the surging Indiana Pacers looking down from atop the NBA standings as the lone undefeated team.
George had 31 points with 10 rebounds and the visiting Pacers survived a late rush to slip past the Detroit Pistons 99-91 on Tuesday.
The victory gave the Pacers their first 4-0 start in nine years.
"I just try to pick up the load and do everything in my will to win ballgames for us," said George, who added four assists and four steals in 41 minutes.
CJ Watson netted 15 points, David West had 12 while Roy Hibbert collected eight points, 10 rebounds and seven blocked shots for the Pacers, who have taken the last six meetings against their Central Division foes.
Brandon Jennings had 17 points, Josh Smith added 16 points while Greg Monroe finished with 14 and 10 boards for Detroit (2-2), who shot just 38 per cent in the loss.
Elsewhere:
- Miami Heat 104 bt Toronto Raptors 95: LeBron James had 35 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Dwyane Wade added 20 points and the defending champion Heat beat the Raptors for their first road victory in three tries this season. DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 21 points.
- Dallas Mavericks 123 bt LA Lakers 104: Monta Ellis led seven players in double figures with 30 points, Jae Crowder had 18 off the bench and the Mavericks routed the visiting Lakers.
- Charlotte Bobcats 102 bt New York Knicks 97: Kemba Walker scored 25 points, Gerald Henderson had 18 and the Bobcats held off a late charge by the Knicks, to snap a 16-game road skid dating back to last season.
Carmelo Anthony scored 32 points on a frosty 10-of-28 shooting to pace the Knicks, (1-3), who lost starting center Tyson Chandler midway through the first quarter with a right knee injury.
Brooklyn, Phoenix San Antonio, Houston and Atlanta also enjoyed wins.
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