Wizards blow out Pacers to keep series alive

Reuters
dMay 13, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) reacts to a play during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Washington defeats Indiana 102-79. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - The Washington Wizards staved off elimination with a dominant 102-79 win over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, narrowing the deficit to 3-2 in their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series. Marcin Gortat produced 31 points and 16 rebounds and John Wall stepped up with 27 points to lead the Wizards to a blowout win and at least another night of basketball this season. Having blown a 19-point second-half lead in the previous game, the Wizards were not about to be run down again, turning a seven-point halftime lead into a 24-point cushion through three quarters. From there they cruised to victory, holding Roy Hibbert to just four points and two rebounds for the top-seeded Pacers. David West top scored for Indiana with 17. (Reporting by Ben Everill in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)