Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers FREE NBA playoffs STREAMING ONLINE from Bankers Life Fieldhouse at 7:00 PM ET
Indiana's long first-round test may wind up providing the blueprint to reach the Eastern Conference finals.
After spending seven games adapting to Atlanta's array of 3-point shooters, the Pacers think they can use a similar defensive plan against John Wall, Bradley Beal, and the Wizards when their second-round series starts Monday night.
"I think (Atlanta) helped us in terms of understanding how to be in gaps, being there for one another, rotating, so we're ready for the next round," Indiana's Paul George told the team's website.
Because the Hawks had Indiana on the brink of elimination after taking a 3-2 lead last Monday, the Pacers had only one full day to implement their Washington game plan.
Wall, Beal and Trevor Ariza pose a similar challenge to Atlanta because of their speed and versatility.
"They play somewhat similar to what we do," Beal said, talking about the Hawks. "And the Pacers are just a big, physical team. They can play fast, but they can play slow at the same time, and that's a great defensive team. So we're definitely going to have our hands full."
Unlike the Hawks, Washington relies on a more traditional power game with Marcin Gortat and Nene -- something that could play right into the Pacers' hands, especially if David West and Roy HIbbert remain as effective as they were in Saturday's series-clinching win.
Either way, the Pacers believe they can make it work.
"I think Teague helped us prepare for John Wall," coach Frank Vogel told Indiana's website. "I think (Paul) Millsap helped us prepare for Nene. And (Kyle) Korver helped us prepare for Bradley Beal. But they're a different team. I think the heightened alertness, more than anything, will hopefully help us going into this series."
The Wizards had five days to heal after beating the Bulls in five games. The Pacers, meanwhile, had to play their starters extensively to survive the first round. Washington's challenge was staying sharp without playing. The young Pacers probably don't mind the quick turnaround after the regular starters finally won back-to-back games for the first time since mid-March.
HOME COURT EDGE: While Washington won the last meeting between these teams, 91-78 on March 12, the Pacers have won 12 straight at Indy including twice this season. The Wizards last win at Bankers Life Fieldhouse came April 18, 2007.
The game will be live streaming on www.nbalivestreamfree.net and it will be broadcast on the TNT Network.
