Indiana at Sacramento

[Real Deal]

TIME: 10:00 PM ET

TV: NBALP

[Built Ford Tough]

West had 31 points and 11 rebounds to help the Indiana Pacers edge the Sacramento Kings 97-92 on Friday night.

 

The forward was 13 for 20 from the field and 5 for 7 at the line in his season-best scoring performance. He is averaging 23 points over the last five games, four of them Indiana victories.

 

"I'm just trying to continue to build on every game and get a good comfort level," said West, who also had two assists and blocked two shots against the Kings. "I only take shots I practice and that I'm comfortable with. I felt a rhythm tonight and I got it going early."

 

West has become the Pacers' go-to guy in the absence of Danny Granger, who is out with an ailing left knee and might not be back until February.

 

"David is veteran savvy, and has all the moves, all the tricks," Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. "He's a horse. Last year he came to us and had a fit-in mentality. He does whatever it takes to win. With Danny [Granger] out we need him to score and that's what he's been doing."

 

George Hill had 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds for the Pacers, and reserve Sam Young scored 12.

 

"I'm getting better as a point guard, but it's still a work in progress," Hill said. "I had been struggling with my shot, but my teammates said to keep shooting. Tonight I was being aggressive and the shots were falling."

 

It was a much more difficult night for DeMarcus Cousins, who had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Kings despite a lackluster shooting performance. Cousins repeatedly passed up perimeter shots and drove to the basket against towering Pacers center Roy Hibbert.

 

Cousins was 5 for 17 from the field and has struggled in two games this season against Hibbert.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121130_IND@SAC