The Pacers won an ugly, defensive battle in Washington on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in the series. The lack of scoring was replaced by snark on Twitter.
First Quarter
Something seems different from just a few days ago…
Are the same people who screamed for the Pacers to go small with Copeland now screaming for the Pacers to feed Hibbert in the post?
— Dave “Mortgages” Searle (@MillerTimePod) May 10, 2014
Wizards looked to have a handle on the game early…
Trevor Ariza is all over the glass. Has 4 offensive rebounds. #wizards have 10 pts, 8 are from 2nd chance pts
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) May 10, 2014
But…
Nene, Marcin Gortat & Bradley Beal are a combined 0-9 so far. #wizards shooting 29% & tied up. You figure they'll eventually hit a shot
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) May 10, 2014
Not that things were going any better for Indiana.
When Frank Vogel has one palm out and one thumb down, he is calling the "dumpster fire" play.
— Dave “Mortgages” Searle (@MillerTimePod) May 10, 2014
For offensive rebounds, Washington's stat sheet just reads "All of them"
— Tim Donahue (@TimDonahueZ) May 10, 2014
John Wall ends the 1st quarter with a bit of flair…
John Wall creates space, then drills the step back J to beat the 1Q buzzer on ESPN #NBARapidReplay http://t.co/Cwu7d43SVF
— NBA (@NBA) May 10, 2014
But there will always be critics.
Neither team on pace to crack 70. The ratings for this game must be destroying the second round of the NFL Draft right now.
— Dave “Mortgages” Searle (@MillerTimePod) May 10, 2014
2nd Quarter
Luis Scola get’s a tech, but protests his innocence.
Luis Scola got T'd up for pushing Martell Webster in the back, and it's safe to say he disagreed with the call. pic.twitter.com/Dmz6fBTwU9
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 10, 2014
With the Pacers trailing by 5, people begin to wonder if the old, bad Pacers are back.
Vogel calls time, as Scola gets burned by Nene in the middle. Near posterization. Pacers now shooting worse than Washington. 24-19 WSH
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) May 10, 2014
Nene killing David West in this series is sad. They've kind of had opposite careers when you think about it.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2014
But Washington’s offense was just as bad as Indiana’s.
These teams are really good at running the clogged toilet offense.
— Dave “Mortgages” Searle (@MillerTimePod) May 10, 2014
And we do mean bad.
Evan Turner just passed up a layup to reverse spin and shoot a fadeaway. Clang.
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) May 10, 2014
Evan Turnup is turnt down.
— Veteran L(W)izard (@Truth_About_It) May 10, 2014
Hibbert needs to get in a fishing boat right about now.
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) May 10, 2014
The Pacers have scored three points in the 2nd quarter. There's 5:52 left.
— SB Nation NBA (Click the pic to read 🔽) (@SBNationNBA) May 10, 2014
The terrible offense is interrupted by a master’s class in flopping by Drew Gooden.
Drew Gooden with a masterful flop
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) May 10, 2014
Drew Gooden with the old man falling down a flight of stairs flop
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) May 10, 2014
Drew Gooden went full-Neo: pic.twitter.com/NGFBWr3rqJ
— SB Nation NBA (Click the pic to read 🔽) (@SBNationNBA) May 10, 2014
Despite the horrors, Indiana takes a 34-33 lead into the half.
#DoNotResuscitate RT @ESPNNBA: These first-half shot charts are not what you'd call aesthetically pleasing. #INDvsWSH pic.twitter.com/QzEr17LLR9
— 8 Points, 9 Seconds (@8pts9secs) May 10, 2014
3rd Quarter
The Pacers decide that it would be easier to just shut down the Wizards offense than try actually scoring.
Verizon Center don't like ugly, but the #Pacers do. Indy leads 46-37 at the 6:24 remaining in the 3rd Q.
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) May 10, 2014
Washington fans are not entertained by this.
You're booing them?! Y'ALL WATCHED THEM REGULAR SEASON I KNOW YOU DID.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2014
Indiana fans are quite fine with it.
45 points headed into the 4th. Pacers playing that top-shelf December defense.
— Dave “Mortgages” Searle (@MillerTimePod) May 10, 2014
4th Quarter
Life is being choked out of the Verizon Center.
“@shomaristone: What is going on?!! 62-49 in the 4th. Come on @WashWizards. #dcRising #WizPacers pic.twitter.com/pgnTRY17XP” I spy empty seats..
— Brian Skinnell (@Brian_Skinnell) May 10, 2014
Not that beauty can’t be found in a defensive showdown.
This was insanely pretty. http://t.co/8oWXOhPesA
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 10, 2014
In lieu of points, there were jokes.
Unfortunately, it's an elective procedure RT @_Michaelinho: Is a shooting slump covered under ObamaCare?!?
— Chillin in my Bacta (@DarthAmin) May 10, 2014
Like, maybe *this* game. RT @basquiatball: did frank vogel just tell the pacers that they have the best offense in the game?
— 8 Points, 9 Seconds (@8pts9secs) May 10, 2014
Reported, but not confirmed: George Hill has emotions.
Just watched George Hill show passion!
— Dan Devine (@YourManDevine) May 10, 2014
Paul George hits a dagger three with… 3:34 mins to go?
Dagger 3 by Paul George this early? Yup. I think so
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) May 10, 2014
Pacers win, but it wasn’t pretty
Pacers defense has been special. Held the Wizards to 33% shooting, given up just three 3s, and forced 18 turnovers.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) May 10, 2014