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The Washington Wizards' undefeated record on the road during the playoffs is now no more, as they lost to the Indiana Pacers, 86-82. The series is tied at one.
After having a putrid postseason so far, Roy Hibbert finally had a breakout game. In fact, Hibbert scored the first five points of the game and helped the Pacers get up to an early eight-point lead. we even saw his college head coach from Georgetown, John Thompson III, sit courtside to support him. Hibbert ultimately scored 17 points in the half and ended up with 28 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. He was sensational.
Though they didn't have a horrible game, the takeaway I had was that the pace was a bit too slow. Nene and Marcin Gortat scored a combined 36 points and 16 rebounds, and in the first quarter, Gortat had this highlight jam:
A FOREIGN FACIAL! http://t.co/E2dG8yibFd
— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) May 7, 2014
However, the Wizards committed some untimely turnovers late in this game, and the Pacers also converted those turnovers into late baskets, which put the game out of reach. John Wall had a critical turnover late and also took two questionable threes with the Wizards trailing.
Even with the loss, I don't feel extremely bad about it. The Wizards still kept this game close in spite of Hibbert's monster game, and this team continues to show very good composure whenever Indiana made a run. The late-game struggles are frustrating, but Washington withstood Indiana's best punch and had a chance at the end.
The series now heads to D.C. and Game 3 is this Friday. Time to show the Pacers what playoff basketball is like in the Nation's Capital.
Other notes:
- Nene had a sprained ankle and had to leave the court during the first quarter. While he was gone, that was when Gortat had that sick posterizing slam.
- The Wizards have guaranteed themselves at least a .500 record in the postseason, and there's a very good chance that this record will be better than .500. That said, there are three more wins to go in this round, so let's get it done.