Recap: Wizards fall to Pacers 121-111 in Indianapolis

The Wizards headed into Friday evening’s recreation in Indiana seeking to proper the ship, however they could not hold tempo with the Pacers’ prolific offense within the second half, in the end shedding by a closing rating of 121-111.

The primary half was extremely entertaining. It was all offense from each groups straight from the soar. Kyle Kuzma linked on 4 triples within the first quarter, serving to the Wizards take a 33-31 lead after one. Kuzma completed the sport with 27 factors on 9-of-20 taking pictures from the sector to associate with seven assists and 7 rebounds.

Then, within the second quarter, it was Kristaps Porzingis’ time to shine. Porzingis ended up scoring 20 factors on an ideal 9-of-9 taking pictures from the sector and 1-of-1 taking pictures from deep within the first half. And people weren’t all simple lobs or dunks. He was making robust, fadeaway jumpers and killing the Pacers from the midrange. He had a extra restricted second half and completed the sport with 29 factors on 11-of-13 taking pictures from the sector to associate with 9 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.

Whereas the Wizards seemed good offensively within the first half, the Pacers seemed higher. Led by Buddy Hield’s 19 first-half factors, the Pacers took a 69-65 lead heading into the break. Their offense was a drive to be reckoned with.

Within the second half, the Pacers got here out sluggish. They missed their first seven discipline objective makes an attempt, and the Wizards had been capable of recapture the lead. Sadly, that did not final various minutes, because the Pacers’ bench shortly bought their offense going once more.

The Wizards had been capable of keep shut within the fourth quarter because of inspiring play from Jordan Goodwin. He was diving on the ground, forcing turnovers, grabbing offensive rebounds, and taking the position of the emotional chief on the courtroom. He completed the sport with a career-high 19 factors on 6-of-10 taking pictures from the sector to associate with 4 rebounds, three assists, and a career-high 5 steals. It was a stellar efficiency from Goodwin.

Regardless of Goodwin’s energetic play, the Wizards could not discover a strategy to get again in entrance. As time wore down, the Pacers made well timed photographs and put the Wizards away. Ultimate rating: 121-111.

“I believed our total effort tonight, typically, was good,” mentioned Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. “I am positive guys bought somewhat fatigued, however that is not an excuse. We’ve to discover a strategy to intestine these minutes out and shut it.”

The Wizards have an opportunity for redemption lower than 24 hours later in opposition to the Clippers at dwelling in D.C.