May 5, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Indiana Pacers point guard George Hill (3) puts up a shot against the New York Knicks during the second half of game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Pacers won the game 102-95. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers are lucky enough to have several players on their team who can produce points.  Quite often, particularly in the playoffs, the leading scorer changes from game to game.  Consistency lies with their ability to play an unselfish style of team basketball while relying on each other.  It also lies with George Hill.

During the regular season Hill contributed a little over 14 points a game while shooting a high percentage from the field especially from behind the arc.  This production has increased in each round of the playoffs from just over 15 in the first round to 17.3 in the semifinals against New York.

In addition to his point production he has taken and made several huge shots for the Pacers at key points within the game.

Let us also remember his most recent performance in Game 4 when George Hill led all scorers with 26 points.

I have admittedly taken turns choosing which Pacer I thought was pivotal for a decisive win and not to worry because I won’t head down that road again.  I do believe that George Hill is important to Indiana and has been more than consistent in his playoff performance.

However, the Indiana Pacers have proven that there isn’t one specific player to rest upon.  Their ability to win while some of our offensive stars struggle may very well be the reason they are a team to be reckoned with.  The opposing teams can’t count on shutting down one single player defensively.  Indiana has so many different weapons and when one player may be struggling another is picking up the slack.

I imagine that tonight’s Game 5 at Madison Square Garden will be no different.  I look for New York to come out energized and ready to not only defend their home court, but also avoid elimination.  That being said I predict that the Pacers are equally energized about advancing to another round.

Indiana’s defensive will play even more physical than they have thus far and further frustrate the Knicks.  Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. and it will be a hard fought game.  Indiana will prevail.  George Hill will continue his contribution and the star of the game will remain to be seen.

May 11, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) takes a shot against New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) and guard Pablo Prigioni (9) in game three of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 82-71. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

As we approach tonight’s Game 4 match-up between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semi-finals one can hope to see a duplicate performance to the Game 3 win by Indiana in which their extremely talented center Roy Hibbert was more than dominant.  The Pacers also demonstrated the type of defensive oriented team basketball we have come to expect and appreciate.

I believe that it will be important for Hibbert to continue his success from the previous game in order for Indiana to protect their home-court and head into New York one win away from closing out the series.  Equally important will also be the bench contribution as well as our starting back court.  George Hill has been consistent and I expect no less from him tonight.

Although there are many areas for improvement such as decreasing our turnovers and increasing our shooting percentage, I believe that the low scoring event that took place in Bankers Life on May 11^th was right up the alley of what the Pacers are used to as a team.  They were able to hold only one player, Carmello Anthony, to double digit scoring.

I have said it before and I will say it again.  It is key for the Pacers to keep with the physical style of play on the defensive end which will lead to easy transition buckets while at the same time frustrating the players of the opposing squad.

Tonight’s results shouldn’t vary much from Saturday.  Roy Hibbert will need to have a big game and I predict he will.  The score will not be high and the Pacers will win other at home.