|
 Hill scored on a layup with 2.7 seconds left and the Pacers ended a
six-game losing streak with a 103-101 win over the Wizards on
Wednesday night.
The Pacers (31-40) kicked their offense into winning mode with a
23-11 closing run. Hill had 12 points in the quarter, including the
final basket after driving through the middle of the Wizards'
defense following Wall's 3-pointer with 11.9 seconds left tied the
score at 101.
The victory combined with a Boston loss to the Miami Heat moved the
Pacers into a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot in the
Eastern Conference.
"We had to turn something around," said Hill, who added nine assists
and seven rebounds. "Either turn something around or our season is
going to go down the gutter. I think every guy on this team fought
hard to get back in it."
Wall scored 34 points -- 27 after halftime -- for the Wizards
(41-31), who have lost four straight.
With guard Bradley Beal sidelined, the All-Star scored 12 of
Washington's 14 points during one stretch for a 90-80 lead with 6:46
left with Messi and members of the Argentine national team watching.
Trailing 94-88, Indiana scored the next nine points, including eight
by Hill.
On Indiana's final possession, Hill started his drive deep behind
the 3-point arc. Defended by guard Martell Webster, Hill blew past a
potential double-team. He banked a high-arching layup, which he
later revealed came from the tutelage of former San Antonio Spurs
teammate Tony Parker.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel had a simple plan for that play.
"Gave the ball to George Hill, puts shooters around him and go to
work," he said.
The Wizards didn't follow orders.
"We were supposed to trap the ball. We didn't," Wizards coach Randy
Wittman said after Indiana outscored Washington 33-25 in the fourth
quarter. "We're undisciplined. We blew that lead fast because of our
gambling and giving no effort defensively."
Guard C.J. Miles scored 16 points, Solomon Hill had 13 and David
West finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Pacers.
Wizards center Marcin Gortat had 16 points for the Wizards, who had
won five straight home games. Washington's top rim protector was not
on the court for Hill's final basket. Asked for his assessment of
the play, Gortat said, "no comment."
Beal suffered a sprained right ankle in the first quarter and did
not return. Washington entered the game with four players out of the
lineup.
The Wizards returned home after 1-3 Western Conference road trip
that started with a win and ended with an opponent suggesting inner
turmoil.
Washington's previous three losses were by average of 23 points.
Monday's 107-76 loss at Golden State turned when the Wizards went 1
of 18 from the field in the third quarter.
[to top of second column] |
After the game, Warriors center Marreese Speights said, "If we got a
couple stops, they would start arguing with each other and quit."
Wittman dismissed Speights' comments pregame -- "I don't give a crap
what Speights thinks. We played them twice. What's he know?"
Then the coach used that same "q" word after the collapse.
"We just quit playing defensively," Wittman said.
Indiana entered Wednesday as the only NBA team without a win since
March 14. During the six-game skid, opponents averaged 106.8 points
per game.
Neither team scored much during first half. The Wizards held the
largest lead at 37-24 but entered the locker room up 44-42.
Washington won the first two games this season, though had not faced
Indiana since Nov. 8.
The Pacers defeated the Wizards 4-2 in the Eastern Conference
semifinals last season.
Though comfortably fifth in the East's playoff hierarchy, the
Wizards realize they won't make it that far this postseason if their
fumbles continue.
"If we keep lapsing and doing these type of things," Wall said, "we
will have an early exit in the playoffs."
NOTES: Pacers F Paul George "is not ready to play yet," coach Frank
Vogel said. Recent reports suggested the All-Star forward, who is
practicing, could return to action soon and for the first time since
suffering a brutal leg injury with Team USA last summer. ... F Kris
Humphries (groin), G Garrett Temple (hamstring), G Toure' Murry
(sprained left ankle) and C DeJuan Blair (personal reasons) were
unavailable for Washington. ... Lionel Messi and the Argentine
national team are in Washington to play an international friendly
against El Salvador on Saturday. ... The Pacers play at the
Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. Indiana leads the series 2-1. ...
Washington's homestand continues Friday against the Charlotte
Hornets. ... Pacers G Rodney Stuckey (sore left calf) missed his
second straight game.
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
