The Official Site of TJ Ford

Thu, Dec 17th 2009, 10:21

Ford passes first, then scores

T.J. Ford always has taken more pride in his ability to create for teammates than to score.

In the Indiana Pacers’ 101-98 victory over Charlotte on Wednesday night, he did both.

Ford had a season-high 13 assists with 15 points, helping the Pacers to an early lead with his passing and scoring late to hold off the Bobcats.

It’s the most assists in Ford’s two seasons as a Pacer.

“I prefer the assist, being able to set guys up,” said Ford, whose career high for assists is 18. “Guys were getting me open so I could create and that allowed me to attack in the fourth quarter.”

Ford scored seven of his points in the final period as the Pacers survived a 3-pointer that came just after the final buzzer.

Ford handed out assists on nine of the Pacers’ 20 first-half baskets as they took a 56-46 lead at halftime.

Entering the game averaging 3.3 assists, nearly half his career average of 6.3, Ford has 20 assists the past two games.

“It’s just picking up the pace,” he said. “We’ve got guys that move without the basketball so well, it allows me to play with the basketball a little more, be creative, then catch those guys when they get open.

“That’s a lot of our success, letting me play with the basketball, attacking and then finding them once I put pressure on the defense.”

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