RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
 GAME FLOW
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Jalen Rose, the leading scorer for Indiana
last season, isn't wasting any time making up for a late start to
his season.
In his second game since coming off the injured list with a
fractured wrist, Rose scored 23 points as the Indiana Pacers
defeated the Washington Wizards 99-87 to end a four-game losing
streak -- their longest in almost seven years.
"We were desperate for a victory," said Rose, who had 16
points on 5-of-17 shooting in his first game back when Indiana fell
to Toronto 111-91 Thursday night.
"We haven't been playing well these last four games," said
Rose, who shot 9-of-18 and also had six assists. "We were just
trying to do what we could to get back in the win column."
The Pacers also made two changes to their starting lineup in an
effort to turn things around before the team begins a four-game
road trip Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Derrick McKey and Jonathan Bender moved into the starting lineup
for the Pacers, who hadn't lost four in a row since January, 1994.
"I thought the guys started to click. I knew with Derrick in
there, he makes everything work," Indiana coach Isiah Thomas said.
"I thought our speed and quickness bothered them. I always believe
speed negates strength."
Reserve Richard Hamilton scored 25 points to lead Washington,
which lost for the seventh time in eight games. Juwan Howard added
15 points and had a season-high 14 rebounds.
"Every time we made a run at them, they would make a run right
back," Hamilton said. "We wasted a lot of energy trying to get
back into the game.
Jermaine O'Neal, who had been starting at forward, began the
game at center for Indiana and sprained an ankle in the first half.
O'Neal was able to return in the fourth quarter when the Pacers
pulled away to take their biggest lead of the game, 99-79. He
finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, his fifth double-double of
the season.
"This was definitely a must-win and we came out early,
aggressively and willing to do what it takes," said O'Neal, adding
that he has no preference over playing forward or center. "I
played center at Portland. I know I can play center and I know I
can play power forward."
Indiana had four players in double figures. Reggie Miller
contributed 17 and reserve Al Harrington had a season-high 16,
including 14 in the second quarter when he shot the Pacers ahead to
stay.
"It really started with the defense," Miller said of the
second quarter when Indiana outscored the Wizards 29-18 to take the
lead for good. "We became much more active, much more aggressive,
got hands in passing lanes. We gave them one look at the basket,
and then we got some eacy looks ourselves."
Washington tried to make the 3-pointer a key part of its offense
but shot only 2-of-17 from behind the arc.
Harrington scored eight straight as the Pacers took the lead for
good with a 12-6 run.
A short jump shot by Harrington ignited his run with 10:36 left
in the half, reducing Washington's lead to 28-27. His driving layup
put Indiana ahead to stay 33-32 and his dunk on a fast break pass
from Miller put Indiana ahead 41-34 with 5:39 left in the period.
Indiana went on to take its biggest lead of the opening half at
48-35 on a jumper by Miller and led 52-44 at halftime. Washington
never drew closer than seven points again.
Game
notes
Indiana shot a season-high 51 percent from the field. The
Pacers shot 60 percent and Washington 33.3 percent in the second
period. ... Harrington's previous high this season was 12 points.
... Rose ended a streak of eight consecutive games in which Miller
led Indiana in scoring. ... Washington fell to 1-5 in the first
game of a back-to-backs. The Wizards play against Milwaukee at home
on Saturday.
|
|
NBA Scoreboard
Washington Clubhouse
Indiana Clubhouse
RECAPS
Philadelphia 76
Atlanta 67
Boston 103
Orlando 98
Cleveland 85
Miami 80
Detroit 118
Vancouver 96
Indiana 99
Washington 87
Charlotte 106
Milwaukee 90
Denver 102
San Antonio 92
Phoenix 80
Golden State 74
Utah 97
New Jersey 85
Seattle 98
LA Clippers 81
LA Lakers 115
Minnesota 108
|
