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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
WASHINGTON (AP) – Considering how well they started, the Indiana
Pacers had to work hard at the finish to end a seven-game road
losing streak.
Feasting on the worst defense in the NBA, the Pacers shot 70
percent in the first quarter and held off a fourth-quarter rally to
beat the Washington Wizards 110-102 Tuesday night.
Jalen Rose had 35 points and matched his season high with 12
assists, Reggie Miller scored 27 points, and Sam Perkins had
season-highs with 16 points and nine rebounds as the Pacers had a
fourth-quarter lead cut to three before getting their first road
win since Feb. 23.
"They definitely got our attention," coach Isiah Thomas said.
"But thanks to Sam, Reggie and Jalen, we calmed things down, made
a few shots and went back on a roll again."
With Boston beating Atlanta, the Pacers needed the victory to
remain in a tie with the Celtics for the last playoff spot in the
Eastern Conference. Indiana plays at Boston on Friday.
"It means a lot to do well on this road trip, especially with
Boston coming up," Rose said. "We wanted to try to gain some
momentum today and hopefully in the Atlanta game (Thursday) to
really solidify our position. Then when we go into Boston, we've
got to take care of business."
The Pacers shot 55 percent overall to beat an undermanned
Washington team that allowed more than 100 points for the fourth
time in five games. The Wizards, who let Utah shoot 82 percent in
the first quarter on Saturday, entered the game last in the NBA in
field goal defense and 3-point defense and next-to-last in points
allowed.
"We've got to understand that we've got to come out in the
first quarter and really dig down on defense," Wizards guard
Richard Hamilton said. "We can't always play catch-up, that takes
a lot of energy. If we don't put ourselves behind in the first
quarter, the game might have been turned around."
Washington played without injured guards Chris Whitney, Mitch
Richmond and Hubert Davis, leaving natural shooting guard Hamilton
to play point guard and Laron Profit to make his first start of the
season and the second in his career at shooting guard. Hamilton had
one of his best career games and led the Wizards with 31 points,
while Courtney Alexander scored 23 playing small forward.
The Pacers, given open lanes and favorable matchups, led 35-21
after the first quarter and answered every Wizards run to make it
58-47 at halftime and 83-71 after three.
But Hamilton led the Wizards on a 13-5 run to open the fourth
quarter and make it interesting. Perkins extended the lead back to
eight with a 3-pointer before Hamilton responded again with a layup
and a baseline jumper.
Alexander's runner made it 101-98 with 2:38 to play, but Al
Harrington got the lead back to five with a dunk off an offensive
rebound. Christian Laettner made two free throws to close the
deficit to three again, but the Pacers made 5 of 6 free throws in
the final minute to keep the lead safe.
Game notes
Indiana's Travis Best did not play because of a sore left
heel. ... Washington's Michael Smith, back from a two-game
suspension for losing his temper on the bench, this time vented at
the officials instead of his coaches: He got called for a technical
for protesting a no-call in the second quarter.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Indiana Clubhouse
Washington Clubhouse
RECAPS
Indiana 110
Washington 102
Boston 115
Atlanta 112
Toronto 101
Miami 92
Houston 109
Utah 86
San Antonio 93
Charlotte 79
LA Clippers 101
Detroit 94
Sacramento 124
New York 117
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