Summary Hibbert nearly matched his career-high for rebounds (17) in the first half.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Paul George scored 24 points and Roy Hibbert added 16 rebounds and seven blocks to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 97-87 victory over the Orlando Magic in the first game of the new NBA season on Tuesday.
The two-man tandem looked every bit as dominant in the season opener as they did leading the Pacers to the Eastern Conference finals in the playoffs last season.
George's buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter gave Indiana a 69-64 lead and sparked the decisive 17-4 run to open the fourth.
Hibbert nearly matched his career-high for rebounds (17) in the first half. He had eight points but left the game midway through the fourth quarter after injuring his knee in a spill underneath his own basket. Team officials said it was not serious and he could have returned.
Victor Oladipo, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, had 12 points and three turnovers for the Magic.
