INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel was worried about facing the Milwaukee Bucks in a matchup of the teams with the best and worst records in the NBA. Turns out, he had reason for concern. "If youre a team without a great record, and youve got a chance to knock off one of the top dogs, thats obviously a win that scores more points with you," Vogel said before the Pacers 101-96 comeback victory Thursday night. Roy Hibbert had 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Paul George and Lance Stephenson each scored 18 points for Indiana. The Pacer96 comeback victory Thursday night. Roy Hibbert had 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Paul George and Lance Stephenson each scored 1s, 44-13 overall and an NBA-best 28-3 at home, blew a 17-point lead in the first half. "Theyre a real good team and I thought we did a pretty good job of keeping it close into the fourth quarter," Bucks rookie guard Nate Wolters said. "But then just like the other night we let it slip away. It wasnt real hard to get up for these guys tonight." Indianas George Hill took a nasty spill along the baseline late in the game. Vogel said the starting guard was day-to-day with a bruised left shoulder. The Bucks, an NBA-worst 11-46, tied it at 50 at the half and built a six-point lead in the third quarter. Brandon Knight had 23 points for Milwaukee, Khris Middleton added 22, O.J. Mayo had 14, and Ramon Sessions 13. Ersan Ilysova had 11 rebounds and nine points. "Were still a team thats pretty much trying to find something to hang our hat on," Mayo said. "Were a young team that is still learning and we just have to keep getting better every day. This was definitely a winnable game, but we made too many mistakes on the road against the best team in the Eastern Conference." Indiana led 32-15 early in the second quarter after going 13 of 19 from the field in the first 12 minutes. The Pacers were 8 of 19 in the second quarter, while the Bucks shot 13 of 21 after going 7 of 22 in the first. "I dont think our guys let down at all," Vogel said. "They understand a 15-point lead in the first quarter means nothing." Stephensons layup put the Pacers up 50-38 with 2:10 to play in the first half. But Middleton scored seven straight points, and Knight had the last five points of the half as the Bucks used a 12-0 run to tie it. Knight opened the second half with a 3-pointer for Milwaukees first lead, 53-50. The Bucks extended the lead to six at 60-54 before George and Stephenson hit 3-pointers to tie it. "Theyve got a lot of great shot-makers over there, thats why theyve been staying in games here lately," Hill said. The Bucks took a 64-60 lead on consecutive baskets by Nate Wolters and Zaza Pachulia, but the Pacers scored seven of the next nine points to regain the lead at 67-66. The Bucks got no closer than two points the rest of the way. "I think we got a couple stops down the stretch that we really needed, and we capitalized on the offensive end when we did get those stops," Hill said. "Youve got to tip your hat to Milwaukee; no matter what their record says, thats a good team over there." NOTES: Before the game, the Bucks waived forward Caron Butler after agreeing to a contract buyout. The 33-year-old Butler made 13 starts and appeared in 34 games this season, averaging 11.0 points and 4.6 rebounds. ... On Saturday night, Indiana is at Boston, and Milwaukee will be home against Brooklyn. David Njoku Youth Jersey . Huntington doesnt want to help run the club unless Hurdle is in the dugout. The combination thats returned the franchise to respectability will remain intact for years to come. Bernie Kosar Womens Jersey . Watch the game live on TSN and TSN GO at 9pm et/6pm pt. 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Jim Brown Browns Jersey . -- Nick Bjugstad snapped out of his scoring slump and spoiled Drew MacIntyres first NHL start.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese are getting one more chance to turn around the New York Giants — or else.Co-owner John Mara announced Tuesday that Coughlin and Reese will be back in 2015 despite an embarrassing 6-10 record, two straight losing seasons, and missing the playoffs five of the past six years.Of course, in the one season the Giants made the playoffs, 2011, they won the championship.Mara stressed that everyone in the organization will be on the spot next season, saying he felt like firing everyone after a loss at Jacksonville in November. He didnt, and the play of the teams young players, notably rookie Odell Beckham Jr., and the teams refusal to quit down the stretch in a season marred by injuries make him optimistic about next season.Its optimism tempered by the frustration of repeated failure.I dont think that is an unfair statement, Mara said when asked if winning was a must next season.Even Coughlins two Super Bowl wins in 2008 and 12 wont save him.Right now I think Tom gives us the best chance to win going forward, Mara said.Whats interesting is that Mara did not give Coughlin an extension on a contract that runs through 2015. The Giants typically have not had head coaches work as lame ducks.Mara said he would discuss it with the 68-year-old Coughlin, who later joked he would like a 10-year extension.We are here to win, thats what this thing is about, the competitiveness of winning, Coughlin said. Im as sick and disappointed as anybody in the last few years. But how are you going to do anything about it other than fight and swing and get back out there and try harder. What else are you going to do? Crawl in a corner? No. I am not going to do that.The idea of being in a win-or-else situation made Coughlin laugh, saying thats his approach to every season.Why would you do it for any other reason? Coughlin said. Youre supposed to win.This isnt the first time Coughlins job has been in jeopardy, and each time he turned things around.Coughlin would not say how much longer he wants to coach, saying his health and that of his wife, Judyy, might decide that issue.ddddddddddddhe Giants decision to stand pat came a day after the Jets — who share ownership of MetLife Stadium with the Giants — fired coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik.I do think we are on the right track, said Reese, who has had two good draft classes after a couple of poor ones. I do think we can have a good football team going into next season.The Giants new West Coast offence made significant strides, finishing 10th in the league under new co-ordinator Ben McAdoo. Eli Manning finished with 30 TD passes and 14 interceptions, and Beckham wowed the league with 91 catches for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. The defence, however, was ranked 30th and special teams struggled, particularly on covering punt returns.That has put the status of defensive co-ordinator Perry Fewell and special teams counterpart Tom Quinn in doubt although their unit felt the effects of 22 players being placed on injured reserve.While Mara might make suggestions, he said Coughlin will decide on any changes to the coaching staff.He knows his legacy is on the line, Mara said. He doesnt want three losing seasons in a row.Reese, who also has been under fire, has had two very good draft classes, and Mara said he needs another.I heard Tom say every year is a win all, Reese said. You win Super Bowls, its what have you done for me lately? Here you have to continue to win. Its hard to do in this business because the league is built with cycles. If you win, you get penalized for winning, so you have to fall back and pick last in the draft. You lose coaches. Thats how the cycle goes.Our job is to beat the system. Thats what we pride ourselves on, and staying on top and staying relevant.The Giants havent done that lately, so next year will be a little more important.Mara said he would like to have defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and safety Antrel Rolle back next season, but only if the free agents can be signed for the right price. He added that the Giants are considering using a franchise tag on Pierre-Paul.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '