Hibbert’s double-double leads Pacers past Rockets 133-102 for their 9th home win in 10 games

Pacers beat Rockets to stay hot at home

INDIANAPOLIS — Roy Hibbert had 20 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 133-102 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday for their ninth home win in 10 games.

Josh McRoberts had a career-high 18 points and tied a career high with 12 rebounds, and Danny Granger scored 18 for the Pacers, who have won seven of nine overall to improve to 29-48. They had their eight-game home winning streak snapped against Miami on Friday.

Chase Budinger had 17 points and Kyle Lowry scored 16 for Houston (38-38), which has dropped four straight to Indiana.

Houston scored the first two baskets of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 101-79, but Dahntay Jones’ dunk off a nice pass from Hibbert stopped the Rockets’ momentum. After a Houston basket, Hibbert’s jumper and McRoberts’ layup pushed the advantage to 107-83.

The Pacers extended an eight-point lead in the first quarter to 72-56 on Troy Murphy’s 3-pointer late in the second. Indiana shot 64 percent from the field in the opening half and hit 8 of 14 from beyond the arc.

Despite shooting 39 percent in the third quarter, the Pacers extended their lead to 101-75 on Hibbert’s two free throws to end the period. Houston didn’t get closer than 13 points in the second half.

NOTES: Indiana had a season-high point total. … Pacers G T.J. Ford (left groin) and F Tyler Hansbrough (ear infection) did not play. … Rockets G Kevin Martin started after missing the previous five games with a left shoulder sprain. He finished with three points in 25 minutes. … Pacers Mike Dunleavy, Jones and McRoberts played at Duke. Houston’s Shane Battier also played for the Blue Devils. Duke will face hometown favorite Butler in Monday’s NCAA final at nearby Lucas Oil Stadium. Dunleavy, Jones and Battier attended Duke’s victory over West Virginia in Saturday’s semifinals. … Some fans at Sunday’s game wore Duke and Butler shirts. … Comedian and radio host Dennis Miller sat courtside.