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Philippines, 17 May 2024 |
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NBA Playoffs - Hibbert steps up as Pacers even series with Wizards By Michael Medina PhilBoxing.com Thu, 08 May 2014  INDIANAPOLIS -- It wasn?t quite a ?do or die? game just yet, but the Indiana Pacers knew coming in to Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup with the Washington Wizards that going on the road in a 0-2 against a dangerous and well-balanced team was close enough. And after a disappointing series opener on Monday wherein he managed to commit more fouls than he had points, rebounds, assists and blocks combined, it was the Pacers? two-time All-Star Roy Hibbert who led the charge for the inconsistent Pacers with 28 points and nine boards to spearhead the Pacers to an 86-82 victory on Wednesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. ?Sometimes I wear my heart on my sleeve and other times I just keep things in,? Hibbert told the media gathered at the conference room after the game. ?Tonight, I just felt like I just had one thing on my mind: to help this team win. Like I said, my teammates did a great job of getting me the ball in my sweet spot and believing in me. I just wanted to return the favor.? Found him they did as the Pacers made a concentrated effort to hit their big man early and often. Hibbert scored the Pacers? first five points of the game off assists from Lance Stephenson and David West to immediately eclipse his 0 point effort in Game 1. By halftime, Hibbert already amassed 17 points and was all of a sudden playing like one of the best center in basketball. ?I thought it was just his determination to get good position and for him to get the ball where he wanted and when he got the ball, he took his time and he got the shots that he wanted. I thought he concentrated on his finishes and again, really carried us,? West said. The Wizards? bigs didn?t allow to be outdone, however, as Marcin Gortat and Nene kept the Wizards close chipping in 21 and 14 points respectively. But just when their frontcourt was hitting from all cylinders, the Wizards 3-point shooting - which accounted for 30 points in Game 1 - was a non-factor as they only shot 5-21 from beyond the arc. The low-scoring game which saw eight lead changes and 15 deadlocks was up in the air all the way to the final seconds after Bradley Beal hit a 3-pointer to bring the Wizards within two with 11.4 seconds left. But the veteran West knocked down two free throws after being put on the line and the Pacers? defense held firm to get the stop and maintain the final margin of victory. George Hill also had a solid game for the Pacers with 14 points and four assists and no turnover, while Stephenson and Paul George chipped in 12 and 11 respectively. Beal finished with 17 points for the Wizards, while John Wall struggled with his shot hitting only 2-13 for six points, but did manage to distribute the ball well with eight assists. Game 3 is on Friday in D.C. Photo: Pacers big man Roy Hibbert (L) bounced back big with 28 points to lead the Pacers past the Wizards in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinals. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Michael Medina.  |
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