Malcolm Brogdon rejoined the Pacers lineup after sitting out the last game with a neck injury. Victor Oladipo would sit this game out. This was the plan heading in. Oladipo would not play in back-to-back games, so Oladipo and the team decided he would sit out the first night. In the 2nd official game in the bubble the Pacers take on a desperate and depleted Washing Wizards team who currently sit in the 9th spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers were the designated away team in this one but were actually playing on the floor that the organization sent down for the league to use. After a hot first quarter for the Pacers in their last game they would look to repeat that against a much weaker team. However, the Pacers did not bring that same energy. They turned the ball over early and often and struggled to score. Indiana trailed by 1 after 1.
They continued that slow start in the 2nd. After a flurry of scoring by Shabazz Napier the Pacers trailed by 7 with 8 minutes left in the half. The Pacers were forced to take a timeout and did exactly what good teams do. They came back out, made adjustments, and went on a 20-2 run to regain the lead behind the really strong play of Aaron Holiday, Pacers finish the half solid and head into the break with a 9 point lead.
The Pacers came out in the 2nd half a flexed their muscles. TJ Warren showed off his scoring punch once again and the Pacers ended the 3rd quarter with another big run. After that it was all Pacers on the way to a 111-100 win.
With the win the Pacers move a game and a half ahead of the 76ers for 6th place. They also remain in striking distance of Miami for the 4th spot and Boston for the 3rd spot. With home-court advantage not being much of thing in the bubble it will be all about match-ups in the playoffs.
@cole_dunbar