YOUR Washington Wizards LEAD the series 1-0 with homecourt advantage taken away from the Indiana Pacers.
Washington dominated the boards in the last game and made 10 three pointers. John Wall started the game shooting well and managed to control the pace and lead the team the rest of the way despite going cold. Ariza played his usual great defense on Paul George and the Wiz got a much needed boost from Drew Gooden off the bench.
Roy Hibbert is clearly missing in action and the Pacers lack of chemistry is pretty evident. But they are a talented group who will play with a sense of urgency. They lost only 6 times this year at Bankers Life Field House. But have now lost 3 there during the playoffs. The Wizards turned it over 17 times, 6 in the 4th quarter which are numbers the Pacers normally do to themselves.
What will it take to take a commanding, 2-0 series lead? Will doubt creep into the Pacers if they get down again?
Keys to the game:
-Keep moving the ball, get great looks... NO LONG TWOS.. DRIVE, DRIVE, GET FOULED
-Protect the boards, Stop Stephenson on the offensive glass
-No turnovers.. ISO Ball is a turnover with this team
-Force turnovers and push the pace
-Make FREE THROWS
-PLAY WITH INTENSITY!
Also, #FireGrunfeld... still. For good measure.
-------------------------AT-------------------------
LAST MEETING:
Wizards vs. Pacers - (W) 102-96
Where: Bankers Life Field House, Indianapolis, IN
When: Wednesday May 7, 7:00 PM EST on TNT, 99.1 FM WNEW, 1500 AM
Lineups:
Key Bench Players:
