Tie game, less than a minute to go, shot clock ticking down and David West had the ball—and the Pacers’ season—in his hands.
Hawks forward Paul Millsap stood between West and the basket. Teammate Paul George was on one wing guarded by Pero Antic, an advantage for George. Pacers forward Lance Stephenson started to come get the ball, no doubt eager to drive past Kyle Korver, but West waved him off.
With that, West took Millsap off the dribble with his left hand, carved out space with his body and scored with a running right-handed shot over Millsap.
The Pacers had the lead and they kept it for a 95-88 victory Thursday night at Philips Arena. They’ll go back to Indianapolis for a deciding Game 7 on Saturday because West wouldn’t let them fade when the Hawks tried to finish them.
“Poise and composure,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel of West’s influence. “When a team makes a run like that, and you are dealing with an eight seed trying to knock off a one seed in their building and the place is erupting on every play—to have somebody out there with that level of composure just really settles everybody down. He’s our rock, there’s no other way to put it.”
West was outstanding in the fourth quarter with 12 points, 5-of-6 shooting, and aggressive defense on Antic. After the Hawks led 84-79 with 3:16 to go, West took over.
West muscled his way to the basket to draw a foul on Millsap and made both free throws. He stole the ball from Antic on Atlanta’s next possession and came down to make a tough step-back jump shot, followed by an emotional fist pump.
The Pacers went ahead 85-84 on George Hill’s score, Antic tied it with a free throw, and then West made the shot over Millsap.
“I felt like I had the advantage, particularly when the (shot) clock was running low,” West said. “I just wanted to get a shot. I know Paul had a matchup. I just felt like I could get us a quality look at that moment. It worked out for us.”
West finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals and just one turnover in 40 minutes. His winning players were a reminder that West, 33, is the most accomplished player in this series.
George is a rising superstar. Millsap was named to his first All-Star team this season. Hawks forward Elton Brand was a star during his prime.
But West has the best resume of them all. He was an All-Star, too, back in 2007-08 and 2008-09 with the Hornets and he has the most career playoff minutes among players in this series.
West isn’t No. 1 scoring option like he was with the Hornets but he’s a tough-minded old pro who still can play. So with George floundering with missed shots and turnovers and their season on the line, the Pacers leaned on West.
When the Hawks took the late lead, West said he told George it was up to those two to save the season.
“Paul and I have to be the creators and finishers at that moment,” West said. “Our aggressiveness was at the right level, and our collective will to make the play.”
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