Hibbert shines, Pacers tie series
TYLER SMITH
ISL Correspondent
INDIANAPOLIS — When the Pacers’ backs have been up against the wall, they have responded each and every time this postseason. Needing a win to tie up their second-round series, the Pacers were led by none other than Roy Hibbert, who contributed 28 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots. On a night when Paul George and David West struggled, the center stepped up at just the right time, helping the Pacers come away with an 86-82 victory on Wednesday night.
The game was close throughout: It was within four points at the end of every quarter. The Pacers made the biggest plays with the game on the line, including a big shot by Lance Stephenson with the shot clock winding down. Washington had three chances to tie the game with a 3 in the final minute and wasn’t able to deliver.
This game had the feel of a larger-deficit win for the Pacers. The Wizards hung around despite shooting 5-of-21 from behind the arc, just 5-of-12 from the free throw line and giving up a monster game to Hibbert as previously mentioned. On the Pacers’ side of things, however, George, West and Stephenson only combined for 11-of-33 from the field. In addition to Hibbert, the Pacers’ defense really stepped up. Any time the team can get a big win without their top players making shots, it’s a big plus.
One of the big problems from Game 1 was the second-chance points the Pacers gave up. Wednesday, they still gave up 11 offensive rebounds, but only four second-chance points.
No matter what statistics you want to look at in Game 2, this game was all about Hibbert.
“We didn’t draw up any more plays for Roy than we have been, that’s the remarkable thing,” Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. “He did it on his own. When you play with a certain level of force, the ball finds you.”
Hibbert had a lot to say after the game.
“David always talks to me about being the person that rescues yourself when you’re in the middle of the ocean,” Hibbert said. “Nobody is there to throw you a life raft. I gotta do it myself.
“I was making up a lot of excuses in the second half of the season and in the playoffs. Sometimes I wear my heart on my sleeve, and other times I keep things in. Tonight I just had one thing in mind, to help this team win.”
And what about Hibbert’s teammates?
“Despite whatever ups and downs I’ve had, they’ve always had my back,” he said.
The Pacers have done a good job responding to a loss in these first two rounds. The question now is whether they can take control of a series for the first time with a win on Friday night. This has all the makings of another deep series, and the Pacers will need to get at least one big win in Washington to advance. Game 3 is Friday night from our nation’s capital.
Follow Tyler Smith on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sports_TYs_20.
