Insider: Despite Paul George’s ejection, Pacers produce most complete game in win over Bulls

• Next up: Pacers at Hornets, 7 p.m. Monday, Fox Sports Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS — Intensity improved, the Indiana Pacers revealed their enhanced effort with in the first minute of their game Saturday against the Chicago Bulls.

The Pacers, when defending the Bulls, challenged almost every screen, their hands attached to their opponent. Even within their up-tempo offense, they tested the Bulls with a more methodical approach. Fewer quick shots from the Pacers translated into better transition defense, which translated into a stingier overall defense performance. And for the first time this season, the Pacers executed a new goal.

“We didn’t let up,” Myles Turner said. “A couple games we kind of hit a couple shots and we’d kind of get a little complacent. We were just pounding and pounding and we kept it going. It was good to establish that early.”

The Pacers’ most complete performance of the season was their most satisfying win: a 111-94 beating of the Bulls.

BOX SCORE: Pacers 111, Bulls 94

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Intensity, which has plagued the Pacers in the season’s first two weeks, was not an issue Saturday. The Pacers (3-3) willed themselves to be tougher than the Bulls. They protecting the ball, sustaining their energy throughout and demonstrating an ability to make defensive adjustments.

“I think the pride kicked in,” C.J. Miles said. “What we want to be and what guys want to do for each other, we did that tonight.”

The response from the Pacers was after coach Nate McMillan showed their flaws — and there were many — in their embarrassing loss Thursday to the Milwaukee Bucks. McMillan felt his message was received by his players when they arrived to Bankers Life Fieldhouse earlier than usual for Saturday’s game.

“Film doesn’t lie,” he said before the game. “That’s us on that film playing that way. We didn’t play that game the right way. It wasn’t much that we had to say through that film. We showed some clips in that game, both offensively and defensively.”

Then McMillan made a statement, one that was both optimistic and, he hopes, prophetic.

“We will get better,” he said. “I know we’re capable of getting better. In time, we will get better.”

The lone lowlight Saturday for the Pacers came from Paul George late in the third quarter.

After he fouled Jimmy Butler, George used his right foot to kick the basketball into the stands from the baseline. The ball hit Lindsey Yeager, a Pacers employee working with the Fox Sports Indiana television crew, in the face.

“I literally sat down for two minutes,” said Yeager, who was visiting with Gabbi, her 17-year-old sister, in the third row behind the basket. “I was not looking because the ball was dead. I just barely saw the ball from my peripheral vision when I stared to turn my head. It hit me right in the head.”

The referees quickly stopped play and ejected George, which is the NBA rule for a player kicking or punching a ball in frustration into the stands. George, who moved the bench, was surprised his actions led to his dismissal. It was George’s first ejection of his seven-year career. He finished with 13 points, a season low, and a team-high seven rebounds.

“I just meant to kick the ball against the (stanchion),” said George, who expects to be fined by the NBA. “I apologize to whoever I hit. I’m glad my team was able to pick up this win and me not be at fault for this loss.”

George did apologize to Yeager.

“He was just like, ‘Hey, I’m sorry,’” said Yeager, who is in her second season working for the Pacers. “He hugged me real fast. I’ve said hi to him several times, so I don’t know if he recognized my face or not since I was sitting there. Probably not, but he probably will next time I pass him.”

Several fans booed when George was ushered off the bench and into the locker room with 1:42 left in the third quarter. Other fans were puzzled, including Yeager.

“I didn’t know that rule,” she said. “So I was like, ‘Wait, why?’”

Paul George ejected after kicking ball into crowd

The Pacers’ stellar execution continued after George’s ejection. Behind much of Indiana’s success was Jeff Teague, who produced his finest performance in a Pacers uniform. He finished with a season-high 21 points and six assists, and was not shy about shooting the ball from the perimeter.

“It’s about time I made a shot,” said Teague, who entered Saturday’s game shooting 24.6 percent. “My teammates gave me opportunities to get open and I hit some shots.”

Teague’s best quality was how steady he was with the ball in running the Pacers’ offense.

Their first quick shot of the game was midway through the first quarter. It was the exact shot that McMillan was hoping his team would take when Monta Ellis found George open in transition for 3-pointer. The basket gave the Pacers a nine-point lead, a comfortable distance from the Bulls (3-3) that the Pacers never relinquish.

What pleased many Pacers after Saturday’s game was how their energy, at any point during the game, was better than the Bulls’ energy. Miles replaced George and continued to score from perimeter with 20 points. Teague attacked the basket and Ellis recorded eight assists.

And for the first time this season, the Pacers could relax in the final minutes, a luxury they enjoyed.

“We were together,” McMillan said. “We showed a collective effort. Defensively, we were solid from start to finish. We were really efficient with our offensive execution. I just thought it was solid game on both ends of the floor.”

Call IndyStar reporter Nate Taylor at (317) 444-6484. Follow him on Twitter: @ByNateTaylor.

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Pacers at Hornets, 7 p.m. Monday, Fox Sports Indiana