Pacers 85 - 83 Wizards
Final
  for this game

Pacers invade D.C. to battle Wizards

Mar 22, 2012 - 2:34 PM (Sports Network) - The Indiana Pacers will try to put the brakes on a four- game road losing streak when they take on the Washington Wizards tonight at the Verizon Center.

Indiana last won on the road during a 102-84 victory at New Orleans on March 3 and is 12-12 as the visitor this season. The Pacers are still a dominant team regardless of their road record and handed the Los Angeles Clippers a 102-89 defeat the last time out on Tuesday behind 25 points and eight rebounds from Danny Granger.

Tyler Hansbrough poured in 17 points off the bench, George Hill added 15 as a reserve and Roy Hibbert scored 13 for Indiana, which snapped a two-game skid and won for the third time in five tries following a four-game losing streak.

"A terrific win for our club over a very good team," said Pacers head coach Frank Vogel. "We just want to play with physicality. And tonight was one of those nights. They're a physical team."

Vogel's squad is fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Washington just went 2-4 on a six-game road trip and will play two straight at home versus Indiana and Atlanta.

The Wizards ended a two-game slide with last night's 108-89 victory at New Jersey, as Nene made his Wizards debut and posted 22 points and 10 rebounds. Nene was acquired before the trade deadline from Denver.

"He is a proven vet who has played in very high-stake games," said Wizards coach Randy Wittman. "He knows how to play."

Jordan Crawford had a game-high 23 points while Roger Mason Jr. added 16 for the Wizards, who shot 48.2 percent for the game and got 12 points and eight assists from John Wall.

Washington is 6-16 at home this season and is trying to win two in a row for the first time since Feb. 12-14. That was the only time the Wizards have won consecutive contests this season.

The Wizards and Pacers are meeting for the first time since Indiana took three of four matchups a year ago. The Pacers have won eight of 11 contests in this series, but have dropped six of the past nine matchups in D.C.






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