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INDIANAPOLIS -- When the Indiana Pacers needed a lift. Paul George stepped up. All over the court, over and over again. George had 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and the Pacers used a big second-half run to rally for a 101-85 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series. George Hill scored each of his 15 points in the second half, helping top-seeded Indiana earn a split of the first two post-season games at home. George also had four steals and blocked a shot while helping keep Hawks point guard Jeff Teague in check. "Thats why he was in the MVP conversation early," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "He always does those types of things, guarding the best perimeter player, rebounding the ball, deflecting the ball. His hands were all over the place. It makes him one of the most complete players in the game when he plays like he did tonight."" The Pacers sure needed it. For seven weeks, Indiana heard everyone question its fortitude, team chemistry, even whether it was worthy of a No. 1 seed. The complaints grew louder after Saturdays 101-93 loss. George and his teammates spent the next 72 hours seeking solutions and defiantly insisting they would be OK. On Tuesday, they finally reverted to their early season from. Indiana limited the Hawks to 33 second-half points and dominated the third quarter. Next up is Game 3 on Thursday in Atlanta, where the Pacers have only two wins since December 2006 -- though one of those closed out last years first-round playoff series in six games. "We want to build on what weve got going," Indiana forward David West said. "We want to continue to be aggressive. We know theyre going to play better at home, but were going down there to get back in charge of this series." George was 9 for 16 from the field, including a 5-for-7 performance from 3-point range. He also went 4 for 4 at the line. Perhaps more importantly, he managed to contain Teague after he burned Indiana for 28 points in Game 1. George wanted the responsibility of guarding Teague, who had seven points in the first quarter and seven more for the rest of the game. "I sat down and it was homework for me, just locking into his tendencies and figuring out where I will get beat or where Im vulnerable against him," George said. "Its a challenge." George was the catalyst, but he had plenty of help. Hill, who had been mired in an offensive funk, made 5 of 6 shots in the second half. Luis Scola, who kept the Pacers close when West got into early foul trouble, finished with 20 points and seven rebounds. The defence that gave up 11 3-pointers in Game 1 and eight more in the first half of Game 2, allowed just two over the final 24 minutes. "Our execution on both ends of the court wasnt at the level we need it to be," Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "Give them credit, they were aggressive, they made a lot of plays and our execution, particularly in the third quarter has to be better. Thats what well work on." Indiana appeared to be in trouble when it trailed 38-27 in the second quarter and was still down 52-48 at halftime. But the Pacers stormed into the lead with a 31-13 third quarter. West sparked a 25-2 run with a bank shot that made it 70-65 with 3:20 left in the third. George made a buzzer-beating 3 to make it 79-65 heading into the fourth, and the Pacers scored the first eight points of the final period. "If thats what it took for everyone to understand how close this team is, thats what it was," George said. "Weve got each others back and thats what it felt like." NOTES: Atlanta was trying to open a playoff series with two straight road wins for the first time since the St. Louis Hawks swept Baltimore 3-0 in the 1966 Western Division semifinals. ... Defending Indianapolis 500 champion Tony Kanaan attended the game. ... Atlanta outscored Indiana 30-16 in the third quarter Saturday. Craig Gentry Jersey . Listen to the Rangers vs. Kings live on TSN Radio starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also stream the post-game press conferences live on TSN. Zach Britton Jersey . Trailing 5-4 in the third set, the 12th-ranked Isner fought off two match points and evened it at 5-5 with consecutive aces. The former University of Georgia star had his only service break of the match to go up 6-5 before firing the last four of his 30 aces to close out Ginepri, an Atlanta resident ranked 281st. http://www.theoriolesteamshop.com/Oriole...-Kids-Jersey/.S. womens soccer team to a 2-0 win over China in Colorado in the afternoon. Jeremy Hellickson Jersey . Ronaldo netted his 14th goal of the season in Europes top competition to give Madrid a clear advantage ahead of next weeks quarterfinal return leg in Germany. But it came at a price as the Portugal forward, who came into the first-leg nursing a sore left knee, came off in the 80th minute. Darren ODay Jersey . Cornet won six straight games to rally from a 2-0 deficit and take the first set. The 25th-ranked Frenchwoman broke back twice in the second set before Bacsinszky saved a match point at 5-4. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers looked fine on the practice field Thursday. It doesnt mean he is going to play. There was no definitive word on whether Rodgers will be medically cleared to return from his left collarbone injury in time for Sundays game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was just another day in the guessing game called "When Will the Franchise Quarterback Return" for the Packers. Coach Mike McCarthy indicated he would name his starter Friday. Rodgers also made several references to his playing status being an "organizational decision." "Just a Thursday practice, didnt take a lot of reps with the teams but felt pretty good out there, was feeling good," Rodgers said. "Its obviously a medical decision and an organizational decision at this point." Flat out, Aaron: Will you be playing Sunday? "Its a medical decision, its an organizational decision," said Rodgers, who is listed as "limited" on the official practice report. During a brief portion of practice open to media Thursday, Rodgers did a little stretching and looked sharp in position drills. He watched as backup Matt Flynn led the offence during another short practice period. "Aaron Rodgers practiced well today. Tomorrow is -- we have the medical meetings on Wednesday and Friday, so well have a conversation tomorrow," McCarthy said. "Obviously, today hes still not medically cleared. Looked very good at practice. I would state him ready to play." Flynn took the majority of the reps Thursday, McCarthy said. Flynn has said hes preparing this week as if hell start. By all accounts, Rodgers is itching to return. He hasnt played since getting knocked out of the first series of a 27-20 loss Nov. 4 to the Bears. Green Bay started 0-4-1 without him before rallying for two straight come-from-behind victories to get back into the NFC North race. Flynn has played well late in games to lead the Packers, but knows full well that Rodgers gets the job back whenever hes cleared. "We want him back when hes healthy and ready to go, and look forward to that,&quoot; receiver Jordy Nelson said.dddddddddddd"Hopefully if its not this week, we can keep winning, and give him another opportunity." For Rodgers, the frustration level goes down when hes back out there on the practice field with his teammates. He would much rather have the ball in his hands than holding a clipboard on Sundays. He came close to being cleared last week. Asked about his progress, Rodgers said he had had completed about every pass in practice after throwing a few clunkers last week. "At this point, I have to focus on the things I can control and thats practicing well, taking care of my business in the weight room, preparing, being a good teammate," Rodgers said. The Packers made a big investment in Rodgers this past off-season, signing him to a five-year contract extension through the 2019 season worth as much as $110 million. The 2011 NFL MVP, who turned 30 this month, led the Packers to a 5-2 start despite a litany of injuries elsewhere on the team. Receiver Randall Cobb, tight end Jermichael Finley and linebacker Clay Matthews were among those who got hurt before Rodgers went down. Rodgers said he hasnt had any setbacks. When asked, Rodgers said he had a "good sense" of whether he would be cleared. And that would be? "Yeah, thats another Mike McCarthy question there for tomorrow," he said. There is at least definitive word on defensive lineman Johnny Jolly, who is out with shoulder and neck injuries that McCarthy termed as "significant." Jolly left in the first half of last weeks 37-36 win over Dallas and never returned. Jolly made 38 tackles this season, and was a key player during those spurts this year when the Packers were stopping the run. Jolly turned into an inspiration on the team, working his way back after having been away from the game three years following his suspension by the NFL for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy. "Johnny loves football, so he was down at first. Hes pretty cheery, hes up now," fellow linemen Ryan Pickett said. "Hell bounce back. Hell be back next year." ' ' '