A potential blowout turned into a nail-biter late between the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards, but the Pacers managed to get just enough big plays late to hold off the surging Wizards. Indiana blew things wide open early in the third, but that success proved to be something of an anomaly in a game that was tight throughout the first half.
Washington led after one, outscoring Indiana 33-29. Early misses at the free throw line, coupled with hot shooting from the Wizards (including five threes) dissolved any hope for a lead for the Pacers despite a quick 7-0 start.