Washington Wizards (16-39) beat Indiana Pacers (15-42) 131-118 at home on Friday, February 20, after falling far behind. The Wizards were down 11 at one quarter break and still finished 13 ahead.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Pacers had the better start, winning the first 27-22 to lead by 5 after one. The Pacers kept the pressure on with a 41-35 second quarter, carrying a 11-point lead into halftime.
The Wizards won the third 35-24 to pull even, leaving the game tied at 92 entering the fourth. The Wizards took the fourth 39-26; the Wizards finished the job for a 131-118 regulation win.
What flipped it
The Wizards took better care of the ball, turning it over on 15.4% of possessions compared with 18.9% for the Pacers. The Wizards grabbed 24.4% of their own misses, while the Pacers recovered 19.1%. Those extra possessions were crucial.
At roughly 111 possessions per team, the Wizards produced 118.2 points per 100 possessions to 106.5 for the Pacers.
Who carried the comeback
Alondes Williams was the game's biggest individual force for WAS: 25 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast on 9-11 shooting. His Game Score of 28.9 led everyone. His team was +4 with him on the floor.
Jay Huff led the Pacers with 22 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast on 8-11 shooting, good for a 18.4 Game Score.
Alondes Williams (25 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast) and Jarace Walker (12 pts, 12 reb, 6 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 53% for the Wizards.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Indiana Pacers lead 5-2.
The Wizards are now 16-39, and the Pacers are 15-42. The Wizards last five before this game: W-L-L-L-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.