Game Rewind
The Indiana Pacers have now lost two in a row after falling to the Washington Wizards, 112-107, at the Verizon Center.
The game was close heading into the final minutes of the fourth quarter. The Pacers trailed by just one, 103-102, with 1:34 to play, but a jumper from John Wall followed by a triple from Markieff Morris gave the Wizards a 108-102 lead with 50 seconds to play, effectively shutting the door on the visitors.
Indiana trailed the entire first quarter, as Washington jumped out to an 18-13 lead at the 5:24 mark. A Jeff Teague jump shot got the Pacers within two, 23-21 with 3:28 to play in the first, but the Wizards responded with five quick points to build a seven-point advantage.
When the opening period was said and done, Washington led 33-27.
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In the second, Indiana’s bench ignited the offense. The second unit scored 17 of the team’s first 20 points in the quarter, while holding Washington to just seven. With 5:35 until halftime, the Pacers led, 47-40.
The Wizards got back into the contest by outscoring the Pacers 11-6 over the next two minutes, cutting Indiana's lead to two, 53-51. The teams essentially traded buckets over the final two minutes to go into the locker room tied.
In the third, the home team jumped out to a six-point lead with 9:36 left in the quarter. From there, the Wizards led until the 5:39 mark when a Lavoy Allen jumper gave the Pacers a 72-70 advantage.
Washington answered with a 12-2 run to lead 82-74 with 2:39 left in the quarter. The Wizards took their advantage into the final quarter, leading 86-81 at the end of the third.
The Pacers closed the gap to a single point and then took the lead, 89-88 with 8:49 to play, courtesy of a Monta Ellis bucket.
The next five minutes were a back-and-forth affair with neither team really being able to establish a sizable lead. The Wizards built a four-point advantage, 100-96, with 3:24 to play, and it was one they would not relinquish.
For Indiana, Paul George scored 31 points on 12-of-23 shooting. Teague added 13 points and nine assists.
John Wall finished with 24 points and 14 assists for the Wizards. Markieff Morris had 26 points and 10 rebounds.
Stat of the Night
The Pacers made only four of their 21 attempts from beyond the arc (19 percent), while the Wizards were 10-of-29 (34.5 percent).
Inside the Numbers
Al Jefferson and Rodney Stuckey had the team's best +/- rating, finishing +14.
Paul George's 31 points were the most he's scored since he put up 33 against the Houston Rockets on Jan. 29.
The Wizards attempted 30 free throws tonight, making 20. Indiana only got to the line 15 times, converting 13.
Noteworthy
- Kevin Seraphin scored 16 points tonight, the most he's scored this season.
- Wizards center Ian Mahinmi was a member of the Pacers for the last four seasons before signing with Washington in the offseason.
- The Wizards now lead the season series 2-1 with one game remaining.
You Can Quote Me On That
"We wanted to really come out and get back on track. We had a tough one in Brooklyn. A game we felt like we should not have gone into overtime but it did. We just wanted to come back home and make sure we got off to an even better start, get our streak back on. We got one down, but it is going to get tougher. We won this game, we can move on now.” - Wizards guard Bradley Beal
“They have a lot of talent on that team, a number of guys playing well. [Otto] Porter [Jr.] has been playing well, he got in foul trouble. [Markeiff] Morris comes back tonight, has a solid game for them. [Marcin] Gortat does his usual thing, just solid screening and rebounding. You got [John] Wall and [Bradley] Beal playing well. We know he's capable [to] score and he made some shots over the defense tonight.” - Pacers head coach Nate McMillan
“I felt really comfortable. It was like I play at home. It’s not just from today. I’ve always been playing basketball…but my confidence is up and it will stay up.” - Pacers forward Kevin Seraphin
Up Next
The Pacers return home tomorrow night to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in their 1990s Decade Game. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET.
Tickets
The Pacers return home on Saturday, February 11th for a 1990s Decade Game against the Milwaukee Bucks. All fans in attendance will receive a Reggie Miller bobblehead while the players and staff of the 1990s will be honored. Find Tickets »
Away Game Night Special
State Seal Tee - $12. Game Night Specials can be purchased online the day of each away game from 10:00 AM - Midnight. Order Online »