INDIANAPOLIS -- The Pacers responded to Friday nights challenge like a champion. After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Paul George finished with 24 points and nine rebounds, Lance Stephenson added 16 points and six assists, and the defence completely shut down Houston in a 114-81 rout. "This team doesnt like losing," coach Frank Vogel said. "We talked about playing mad for four quarters." By following Vogels plan, the Pacers continued to add to an already strong resume. While some try to discount Indianas quick start because theyre playing in the struggling Eastern Conference, the Pacers still have a firm grip on the conferences best record (21-5) and have already beaten three of the Western Conferences top teams -- the Clippers, Spurs and now the Rockets. The way Indiana has been winning is just as impressive. Despite taking Dwight Howards best shot Friday -- Houstons centre had 19 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks -- Indiana still managed to manhandle the usually potent Rockets offence. Houston (17-10) entered the game second in scoring average and third in field goal percentage. It left Indianapolis having shot 38.1 per cent in the game, compiling a season-low in points and losing to Indiana for the fourth straight time. Even James Harden, the leagues No. 6 scorer, couldnt get started. He was just 3 of 14 from the field and scored only 12 points, primarily against George. It was a disturbing twist for Houston, which had won three of its previous five, had beaten Chicago by 25 points on Wednesday and was trying to keep pace with division-leading San Antonio. Heck, it couldnt even figure out how to beat the Pacers stout defence. "We had no answers for them. They played way better than we did," coach Kevin McHale said. "We werent moving, we werent attacking, they had us on our heels all night." But Indiana also had something else -- motivation. The Pacers were determined to make someone pay for this weeks earlier stumbles, and they didnt care much about who showed up Friday. Not only did the Pacers finish with a season high 12 3-pointers, but they also had a season high point total, their largest victory margin (33) of the season and their second best field goal percentage of the season (53.1). Six players scored in double figures and they did all that on a night Roy Hibbert finished with nine points, six rebounds and one block. How did they do it? The same way the Pacers usually win -- with a balanced and a relentless defence. "Its a good feeling because when were at our best, we feel like were unstoppable," George said. "It was good to come out and play with high energy against a high-energy team." The Rockets never had a chance on a celebratory night for the Pacers. Indiana fans gave former All-Star Danny Granger a standing ovation when he made his season debut in the first quarter and chanted his name when he finally made his first basket, a 3-pointer, early in the fourth. Granger missed all but five games last season because of a left knee injury and he was sidelined all of this season by a strained left calf. If he is healthy, and he looked rusty on offence in his first game back, he would give the Pacers even more scoring punch as they try to dethrone two-time defending champion Miami. But by the time Granger made his entrance, Indiana was already taking control. Indiana went ahead 12-11 early in the first and spent the rest of the night pulling away. It led 25-20 after one, made it 41-29 early in the second and then fended off Houstons only real challenge, a 10-0 run that made it 41-39, by closing the half on a 17-6 burst to make it 56-45. Indiana quickly made it 64-49 in the third, sealed the game with a 17-4 spurt. "They played harder than we did," Howard said. "They brought a lot of extra energy at the beginning of the third quarter and thats what set us apart." And before it ended, the Pacers led by as many as 36. "We always say that good teams will bounce back," said George Hill, who had 12 points. "That showed were a good team." NOTES: Reserve Luis Scola finished with 13 points and made his first 3-pointer since joining the Pacers during the off-season. ... Houston played without guard Jeremy Lin (back) and Omar Asik (thigh). Asik, who has been the subject of trade rumours, did not make the trip. ... The Rockets were just 13 of 24 from the free throw line. Anthony Alford Blue Jays Jersey . Vonn "reopened" the idea of competing in the season-opening World Cup event on Oct. 26-27 in Soelden, Austria after returning to the slopes last month in Portillo, Chile. Shannon Stewart Blue Jays Jersey . The team announced the moves before Sundays game against Houston. Shaw was 1-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 43 games for the Diamondbacks. Bergesen was claimed off waivers from Baltimore on Friday. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/1536h-juan...-blue-jays.html. The Rangers announced after Thursdays 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees that they would purchase Williams contract from Triple-A Round Rock. The 32-year-old Williams was released by Houston earlier this month after going 1-4 with a 6. Julian Merryweather Jersey . LOUIS -- The St. Damaso Garcia Blue Jays Jersey . Strasburg (1-1) got 14 consecutive outs in one stretch and allowed only three hits, including Marcell Ozunas homer in the seventh. The right-handers lone walk was to the last batter he faced. Washingtons starter Wednesday, Jordan Zimmermann, left after a career-low 1 2-3 innings, leaving the bullpen "taxed," as manager Matt Williams put it.MONTREAL -- The Boston Bruins just couldnt bury their chances. On a night when Boston was looking close out the series, the Bruins made a hash of numerous opportunities in a 4-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 on Monday night. The Bruins hit posts and crossbars, missed open nets, blew odd-man rushes and couldnt capitalize on key chances throughout the game. Most noteworthy was a frenetic 5:11 sequence of uninterrupted play in the second period during which the Bruins penned Montreal in its own zone for more than two minutes. With the Bruins down 1-0 early in the second period, and their power play expiring, Boston took advantage of tired Habs legs to play keepaway with Montreal in the offensive zone. The Bruins peppered the net with shots, but couldnt take advantage of the unrelenting pressure. "We were all around the net, getting a lot of chances. And then they scored that second one," said Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron. "It definitely took the momentum out of us. Its about finishing the job, and we have to be a lot better." On the sequence, Carl Soderberg took two shots on Carey Price, and had another two blocked by Canadiens defenceman Mike Weaver. Brad Marchand missed the net, Jarome Iginla was stopped by Price and Kevan Miller had a chance blocked by P.K. Subban. The Bruins took a total four shots on net, had three shots blocked and missed the net once. "If we capitalize on a chance there, its a different game," said Milan Lucic, who was also denied by Price on the sequence. "Were not frustrated with what happened here today because we established some pretty good zone time." Price made 26 saves for his fourth career post-season shutout. One of his best of the evening was on Lucic during Bostons dominant spell. Lucic was fed the puck across the crease, but Price made it back in time to rob the left-winger. "Bouncing puck, I overshot it," said Lucic. "It was one of those plays thaat you put in nine out of 10 times.dddddddddddd. Today was that one that you didnt get. You get the same opportunity next game, you have to make sure that you bury it." Minutes later, Max Pacioretty scored his second of the playoffs on a breakaway to double the Canadiens lead. Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask left his net to intercept a stretch pass by Nathan Beaulieu on the play, but changed his mind and retreated back between the posts. The moment of uncertainty was enough for Pacioretty to fire home a shot between Rasks pads. "I kind of hesitated," said Rask, who let in four goals on 28 shots. "I didnt want to get burned. Me and Zdeno (Chara) got caught looking at each other. I thought he was going to dive, and he thought I was going to play it. Just another gift." Thomas Vanek, whos particularly successful against the Bruins with 67 points in 61 career games, added a goal at the end of the second period and another at the end of the third. The Bruins have now failed to clinch a playoff series in Game 6 on the road for the fourth time in five seasons. Game 7 goes Wednesday night in Boston. "Its one game, winner moves on," said Lucic. "You know its not going to be easy. You fought all season-long to get the home ice advantage for situations like this. "Were confident. Weve been a confident group all year long. Weve played well in big games. This is the biggest one so far throughout the year. We have to bring our best when we need it the most. Thats the most important thing." Notes: The Canadiens are now 4-1 at the Bell Centre in these playoffs. Their only home loss was the 1-0 overtime defeat to the Bruins in Game 4. a The Canadiens are 5-3 all-time against the Bruins in the seventh game of a playoff series. a The Bruins made no changes to the lineup that beat Montreal 4-2 in Game 5 on Saturday. a The team that scores first has won every game in this series. The Habs are now 6-0 in the playoffs when scoring first. ' ' '