The Washington Wizards aim to build on their best performance of the season when they face the Indiana Pacers in the final NBA Cup game for both teams on Friday in Indianapolis.
Washington snapped a 14-game losing streak with an impressive 132-113 home win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday.
CJ McCollum made 10 3-pointers and scored a season-high 46 points to lead the Wizards, who improved to 1-2 in NBA Cup play and won for just the second time in their first 17 games.
Indiana fell to 2-16 overall and 0-3 in the NBA Cup with a 97-95 road loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. T.J. McConnell continued his strong play with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Bennedict Mathurin added 15 points.
The beleaguered Pacers have dealt with an overcrowded injury list this season and are currently without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles tear), Quenton Jackson (hamstring strain), Aaron Nesmith (MCL sprain) and Obi Toppin (foot stress fracture).
With all four sidelined on Wednesday, Toronto used a 27-3 run in the third quarter to take control. The Pacers lost their third straight game despite clamping down on defense to give themselves a chance in the final minute.
“Didn’t like, obviously, what we saw during their big run,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. “Lot of droughts, lot of defensive mistakes, but you gotta be really gritty to hang in the way we did and give ourselves a chance.”
McConnell has scored in double figures in four straight games for the Pacers, who have been forced to use 11 different starting lineups in their first 18 games due to injuries.
“We have some things we can build on,” Carlisle said. “It’s just simply a matter of staying together, understanding that everything is going to be difficult, and embracing that challenge.”
Indiana has won its last five meetings against the rebuilding Wizards, who have shown some encouraging signs during yet another rough start to the season.
Second-year forward Alex Sarr had 27 points and 11 rebounds in the win over Atlanta, while Corey Kispert scored 19 points before exiting in the third quarter with a thumb injury.
Kispert was initially listed as day-to-day but on Thursday he was diagnosed with a distal phalanx fracture and will miss time.
Washington earned its first home win of the season and recorded season bests with a 45-point first quarter and 77-point first half.
“We know who we are,” Wizards guard Bub Carrington said. “Obviously, we play to win, but the main thing right now is building for the future. We think that we’re taking big strides in that plan. If we keep that at the forefront of our mentality, of how we do things, how we play, there’s no reason to get down.”
Sarr is enjoying a breakout season while averaging 18.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists, and Carrington has also impressed his teammates in recent weeks. The 20-year-old is shooting 46% from 3-point range this season and had 10 points and six assists against Atlanta.
“He wasn’t hesitant (Tuesday),” McCollum said. “He’s continuing to figure out his balance between making plays, getting in the paint and taking his own shots. … Just a lot of growth that’s gonna take place, and by the time we get to Christmas, he’ll be much more comfortable.”
